Together with the ulna, the radius forms our forearm bones, radius and ulna. Certain injuries can lead to a fracture, i.e. a break of the radius. Especially often the radius breaks when falling on the stretched arm, for example when trying to cushion a fall with the hand.
Physiotherapy/treatment
The treatment of a radius fracture depends on its stability:
- If the fracture can be safely stabilized by the physician under anesthesia, immobilization with a cast and regular x-ray control to ensure that the reduction is maintained. Already during immobilization, mobilizing exercises for the fingers and shoulder should be performed. These exercises improve blood circulation and maintain mobility in the joints that are not affected by the fracture but are restricted in their mobility by the plaster.
If the fracture is stable, the rotation of the forearm (supination and pronation) can also be practiced if this movement is approved by the doctor. The wrist should not be moved in order not to endanger the healing of the fracture. After the cast can be removed, the wrist is also mobilized again.
In physiotherapy after a distal radius fracture, aids such as small balls, therapy clay cloths or similar can be used.
- In the case of an unstable (dislocated) fracture, or if the joint is involved, surgery is usually performed. The fracture can be fixed with screws and plates, or with wires. In severe cases, an external fixator may be considered.
This fixates the individual bone fragments through the skin and can be corrected and adjusted from the outside if necessary. After an operation, an immobilisation is also carried out. Here too, joints that are not affected can already be mobilised to improve blood circulation and maintain mobility. The wrist should be kept still in any case.
Exercises
Following immobilization, a mobilizing and strengthening physiotherapy takes place. In physiotherapy, the wrist is gently and actively mobilized after immobilization. It is always important to pay attention to the cleanliness of the execution during the exercises.
Evasive mechanisms and compensation strategies can limit the success of the therapy and lead to long-term limitations in functional ability.
- Exercise: While the fingertips and elbow are in contact with the ground, the wrist is lifted as far as possible from the ground to achieve flexion in the joint. To improve the extension in the wrist, the wrist remains as a fixed point on the surface, while the hand and elbow are lifted from the surface.
These are exercises from the area of abutting mobilization.
- Exercise: Alternatively, a small ball about the size of a fist can be rolled forward and backward with the flat of the hand to mobilize the wrist.
- Exercise: The lateral movement components that are possible in the wrist, ulnar abduction and radial abduction can be trained well with the help of a thin cloth. The forearm remains fixed on the pad during the exercise. The hand is placed on the cloth.
The cloth should glide well and easily over the lower algae. Now wipe with the hand without moving the forearm. The fingers also remain straight, the movement comes exclusively from the wrist. The cloth reduces the frictional resistance and the movement can be performed more easily.
- Exercise: Also the turning of the hand/forearm should be trained again. There is a variety of different exercises for this movement with and without aids.
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