Healing time | Physiotherapy for a radius fracture

Healing time

The healing time depends strongly on the extent of the injury and the chosen therapy: It can be problematic if the fracture does not heal or heals incorrectly with conservative therapy. It may be necessary to operate after all. This delays healing.

Complications such as Sudeck’s disease (a trophic disorder that can lead to pain and loss of sensitivity or even complete loss of function) also worsen the prognosis for healing. In principle, healing also depends on the patient’s general condition. Radial fractures in children usually heal much faster than fractures in older people.

In principle, healing also depends on the general condition of the patient. Radial fractures in children usually heal much faster than fractures in older people.

• After surgery, early functional therapy is often possible after about 2 weeks, and the fixation material can be removed after 1-2 more weeks.

  Through physiotherapy, the healing and restoration of function can be completed after a few months.

• In comminuted fractures or unstable fractures, it can take much longer to restore full function. If nerves are affected, a longer healing period can also be expected.
• Conservative healing usually takes longer because the fracture must regenerate itself. Regular X-ray control is important.

  Immobilization can take about 4-6 weeks. A physician will release the movement if the X-ray shows that the fracture has healed sufficiently. Physiotherapy is also performed afterwards to restore function. Here too, mobility should be largely restored after a few months.

Summary

The distal radius fracture is the most common fracture in humans and occurs particularly in people at risk of falling (children and the elderly). Depending on the extent and stability of the fracture, treatment can be conservative or surgical. Following immobilization, physiotherapeutic follow-up treatment is performed to restore function and mobility.

Less common than the distal radius fracture is the fracture of the radial head, which is part of the elbow joint. Here too, a choice can be made between conservative or surgical therapy. In severe cases it may be necessary to remove the radial head.

Nerve injuries can be excluded. The healing time depends on the chosen therapy, the extent of the injury and the general condition of the patient. The prognosis for minor fractures is generally good.