Experiencing a fracture is more than just dealing with a broken bone. It’s a comprehensive injury that affects not only the bone itself but also the surrounding tissues, including muscles and ligaments. In the aftermath of a fracture, physiotherapy emerges as a critical component in the recovery process, focusing on the holistic rehabilitation of the patient, rather than just the fracture site.
Alphaone Physio stands at the forefront of rehabilitation and physiotherapy, offering expert guidance and care to individuals navigating the aftermath of fractures. Our approach transcends mere bone healing, emphasizing a holistic rehabilitation strategy that caters to the entire person, not just the site of the injury.
Why is Post-Fracture Rehabilitation Essential?
When such a fracture of a bone occurs, the effect resonates beyond the immediate area of the fracture. Thus, usually, its damage may be felt around the place of fracture in the soft tissues and other structures. The immobilization technique applied, like the use of a cast, leads to stiffness in the joints and weakening of the musculature without fail.
This is where post-fracture rehabilitation becomes important in that it will not only be important for bone healing but also to regain mobility of the joint and muscle strength around the injury. For instance, a fractured shoulder with an immobilized arm will eventually lead to a stiff elbow or wrist.
Similarly, this applies to fractures in the weight-bearing areas of the lower limb because they can affect the functionality of the whole body; hence, rehabilitation should be integrative.
Duration of physiotherapy sessions post-fracture
Recovering from a bone break involves more than just waiting for the bone to heal; it requires targeted physical therapy to restore movement, strength, and functionality to the affected area. The specific time spent in therapy sessions, as well as how often these sessions occur, varies greatly from person to person. This variance depends on the break’s complexity, its location, the individual’s age, and their overall health condition.
Key Determinants of Therapy Duration
- Nature of the Break: Simpler breaks usually require a shorter recovery period compared to more complex ones or those requiring surgery.
- Break Location: Breaks in bones that bear weight, such as the leg or hip, often need more intensive therapy to regain the ability to support weight fully.
- Age of the Individual: Younger people typically recover more quickly, while older individuals may require a longer period of therapy to achieve the same results.
- Health Status: Existing health issues can slow down the recovery process, necessitating a longer duration of physical therapy.
Standard Session Times
Physical therapy sessions for bone break recovery commonly range from 30 to 60 minutes each. The initial phase of recovery might require sessions several times a week, but as progress is made, the need for such frequent sessions usually decreases. The focus gradually shifts toward exercises that can be performed independently or at home under the therapist’s guidance.
Expected Commitment
Initial Phase: Early therapy might involve light exercises to improve movement, with sessions happening 2 to 3 times weekly.
Mid-Recovery: As the individual progresses, therapy will include more intensive strength-building exercises, and sessions may occur less frequently, perhaps once weekly, complemented by a regimen of exercises to do at home.
Final Phase: Toward the end of the recovery process, the frequency of therapy visits may be reduced further to every other week or monthly, focusing on maintenance and injury prevention.
Benefits of physiotherapy after fracture
- Enhanced Joint Mobility
- Muscle Strength Recovery
- Reduced Pain Levels
- Improved Circulation
- Prevention of Joint Stiffness
- Accelerated Overall Healing
When should you begin physiotherapy after a fracture?
Immediate Post-Injury Phase
Stabilization Period
Structured Physiotherapy Post-Stabilization: Once the fractured bone shows signs of initial healing—typically 1-2 weeks after injury for less severe types of fractures—begin a more structured physiotherapy treatment plan.
Post-Surgical Recovery
Enhanced Physiotherapy after Surgery: For bone fractures requiring surgical intervention, commence enhanced physiotherapy sessions focusing on regaining the normal range of joint movement and reducing muscle weakness once the surgeon confirms the wound is healing properly.
Following Immobilization
Intensive Physiotherapy After Cast Removal: Intensify physiotherapy efforts after the removal of any immobilization device to restore the full range of movement, alleviate muscle and joint stiffness, and gradually return to daily activities.
Customized Treatment Based on Orthopedic Guidance
Orthopedic Specialist’s Clearance: Ensure clearance from an orthopedic specialist to confirm that the fractured bone is stable enough for physiotherapy treatment, tailoring the rehabilitation process to the specific type of fracture and individual patient needs.
The Role of Physiotherapy Post-Fracture
- Early Intervention for Prevention of Stiffness: Early physiotherapy intervention is performed depending on the post-injury status, for the prevention of joint stiffness and muscle weakness, which are both important to keep the range of movement near the site of fracture.
- Personalized physiotherapy treatment plan: A treatment plan directed at specific hand-based manual therapies and exercises aimed at the restoration of the normal range of movement in the joint and healing based on the exact type of fracture.
- Address Muscle and Joint Stiffness: The specific techniques and exercises should be an integral part of physiotherapy management to address muscle stiffness and promote improvement in the range of motion of the joint for an early return to full activities.
- Range of Motion Exercises: Range of motion exercises are those exercises that will be appropriate for the rehab process in an attempt to restore the full and functional range of movement required for activities of daily living.
- Monitor and adjust the treatment plan according to the healing progress continually: Continuously monitor and adjust the treatment plan of physiotherapy, when the fractured bone is in the course of healing, according to the set targets to provide a responsive track in the recovery of the patient and help prevent reinjury.
Final thoughts!
In conclusion, the rehabilitation journey following a bone fracture, whether it involves a complex fracture requiring surgical procedures and internal fixation or a less severe case managed with minor adjustments, benefits greatly from physiotherapy treatment. Techniques like electrical stimulation and the application of an ice pack play vital roles in this comprehensive process.
This is in addition to traditional methods of physiotherapy helping in reducing pain, facilitating the healing process, and restoring functionality. Each of these has its importance, from applying ice to the highly powered application of electrical stimulation for muscle strength increase in successful recovery and quick revival into daily activities.
