Physical Therapy For a wrist injury after a fall?
A Wrist Injury
A wrist injury after a fall can cause a fracture around the wrist. Typically, it occurs due to a fall on an outstretched hand. Specifically, a wrist injury after a fall can cause a fracture which occurs at the end of a bone in the forearm called the radius. Backwards deformity also known as: Dorsal displacement and dorsal angulation are common characteristics of such a fracture or a wrist injury after a fall. Falling on an outstretched hand can be a consequence of either tripping or losing balance, and it is the body’s defense mechanism to prevent falling flat on one’s face. While this sort of fracture is not prevalent in younger patients, it is commonly seen in seniors, clients with osteoporosis, and clients with any other form of bone disease.
Treatment
The treatment of a typical fracture requires the application of a cast or a splint. Resulting in compression and limiting motion to promote healing. The cast or splint is usually covered by medical insurance including Medicare. Our therapists have specialty training in assessing need of a splint and its application. Back In Motion has these splints in stock. The client can leave the clinic after the very first visit with the needed splint. Also with no out of pocket cost. n some cases, surgical correction may be required. Once pain and swelling is reduced, the objective of the healthcare team changes. The new priority is joint range of motion and restoration of muscle strength.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
Physical Therapy can help in the recovery of a wrist injury after a fall in several ways:
1. RICE
The use of Rest, Ice packs application, Compression and Elevation (RICE) is universally applicable after injuries to reduce the extent of injury and facilitate a speedier recovery time.
2.Therapeutic exercises
“If you don’t use it, you lose it”. Muscles tend to lose strength, tone, and mass due to the period of inactivity in a wrist injury after a fall. Gentle stretching exercises can minimize the phenomenon of muscle shrinkage also known as’muscle atrophy’.
3. Massage therapy and Mobilizations
Manual therapy from a skilled physical therapist or occupational therapist on the joint or on the surgical scar site is very helpful. This helps reduce pain, decrease swelling and improve blood flow to the area to improve healing. Back In Motion, Sarasota Physical Therapy can also offer massage therapy by one of our licensed massage therapist on staff.
4. Electrical stimulation
Our state of the art facility has the latest equipment and modalities to promote a speedier recovery time. Therapists will choose the most appropriate form of Electrical Stimulation, and provide you with a home unit to maximize your recovery. The clinic stocks TENS units as well as NMES units. E-stim is used to improve muscle tone and strength. It involves the application of a tiny electric current on muscle fibers. As a result, it stimulates muscle contraction. In addition,The treatment is comfortable and assists with the healing process as well as the elimination of pain.
5. Balance therapy
If a fracture has occurred in an elderly patient due to loss of balance. The treatment is aimed at improving core strength and balance. Furthermore, aids like a straight cane, quad cane or walker may also be provided. Therapists at Back In Motion have extensive training in the assessment and fitting of these devices.
Therapy can also work on improving balance and regaining independence. Recovery from fractures or a wrist injury can be slowed by unnecessary and extreme motion after removal of the splint or cast. This can be minimized or avoided under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist at Back In Motion.
The Care You Need
Physical Therapy is important in the full recovery of motion, pain relief and strength for a wrist injury.
Expect the Therapist to start with a comprehensive assessment of your body. With gentle mobilizations of the wrist and hand to improve joint circulation and encourage motion. As the pain subsides, the therapist will prescribe gentle exercises to regain full function. Also they will assess the wrist injury after a fall and why it occurred. We are the only Physical Therapy clinic in town that offers Certified Balance Therapy. A wrist injury after a fall can be a devastating and life changing event if not addressed properly. We are the experts in hand and wrist care as well as balance therapy.
Reach out to us today, and discovery why individuals in Sarasota are experiencing the benefits of what physical therapy can do for you.
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