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Overview
Post-fracture rehabilitation is a physiotherapy process aimed at resolving the stiffness, muscle wasting, and loss of strength that develop in the immobilized area following the healing of a bone fracture with a cast, splint, or surgery, and at helping the person return to their previous function.
The union of the bone is only the first stage of healing. When the cast comes off, the joint is often stiff, the muscles have weakened, and the area is swollen. The real healing is completed with the correct rehabilitation that begins after this stage. We plan this process on a personalized basis and carry it out without rushing, yet without losing time either.
Causes
The main reasons rehabilitation is needed in the post-fracture period:
- Prolonged immobility — the joint remaining immobile during the time spent in a cast or splint.
- Muscle wasting (atrophy) — the rapid weakening and thinning of unused muscles.
- Joint stiffness — shortening and hardening of the surrounding soft tissues.
- Edema and reduced circulation — swelling and decreased blood flow due to immobility.
- Surgical intervention — tissue reaction following fixation materials such as plates and screws.
Symptoms
Common signs after a fracture has healed:
- Inability to fully open and close the joint, marked restriction of movement
- Weakness in the affected area and a wasted appearance of the muscles
- Pain and a feeling of stiffness that appear with movement
- Persistent swelling in the area and occasional changes in sensation
- Difficulty with functions such as walking, gripping, or raising the arm
- Reluctance to bear weight on the area and instability
Diagnosis
Before starting rehabilitation, our physician assesses the state of union and whether the area is ready to bear weight. With a detailed physical examination, joint range of motion, muscle strength, swelling, and pain are examined.
X-ray shows the state of bone union; when necessary, MRI provides information about the soft tissues. However, we always base our approach on the physical examination. Even if the bone appears united on an image, the direction of treatment cannot be determined without a functional assessment. For this reason, we plan the program according to the person's condition, not the image.
Treatment
Post-fracture rehabilitation is a gradual and controlled process. Its core components:
- Range-of-motion exercises — work that gently and gradually opens the stiff joint.
- Strengthening exercises — a personalized program that gradually strengthens the wasted muscles.
- Manual therapy — joint mobilization and soft-tissue techniques.
- Edema and pain control — hot-cold applications and supportive taping.
What We Do
First, our physician confirms that the area is ready for rehabilitation and draws up a personalized treatment protocol. When deemed necessary, dry needling is applied to tight and painful points.
Our expert physiotherapists gently open the stiff joint with mobilization and soft-tissue techniques; they release tight muscles with clinical massage. If there is edema, we aim to reduce it with applications that support circulation. As the area relaxes, we move on to the main phase, strengthening. Here we apply fully personalized and three-dimensional exercises; because every body and every recovery is different.
When necessary, we apply kinesiology taping to support the joint and muscles so that treatment extends throughout the day. Throughout the process we adjust the stages according to the patient's tolerance, see our client off with satisfaction, and follow up remotely.