How to Recover From a Broken Wrist With Physical Therapy

If you have recently suffered a broken wrist, you may be wondering what your treatment options are. One common treatment option is physical therapy. Physical therapy can help you recover from your injury and regain full function of your wrist. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of physical therapy for broken wrists and how to get started with this treatment option.

What Is a Broken Wrist?

A break or fracture in one or more of the bones in your wrist is called a broken wrist. The medical term for a broken wrist is a distal radius fracture. Your radius is the large bone in your forearm that extends from your elbow to your wrist. The distal end of your radius is at your wrist.

Most breaks or fractures of the distal radius happen when you fall on an outstretched hand. This type of fracture is also called a Colles’ fracture.

The most common symptom of a broken wrist is pain. You may also have swelling and bruising around your wrist and forearm.

It may be difficult to move your hand or wrist. You may also have numbness or tingling in your hand from nerve damage. If the bones in your wrist are out of alignment, your wrist will look deformed.

Do you Need Physical Therapy After A Broken Wrist?

Most people with a broken wrist will need some form of therapy or rehabilitation to regain full use and range of motion in their wrist. While the type of broken wrist will affect the therapy you need, physical therapists can help you heal properly and reduce your risk for long-term complications.

The bones in your wrist are held together by tough ligaments. When you break your wrist, these ligaments can also be damaged. This damage can limit the movement of your wrist and cause pain. A physical therapist can help you regain full use of your wrist by strengthening the muscles and ligaments around the injury.

How Does Physical Therapy Work With  Broken Wrist?

Physical therapy for a broken pisiform will focus on restoring range of motion and strength to the wrist. The therapist will use exercises and modalities such as heat, ice, and electrical stimulation to help reduce pain and inflammation.

The exercises will be started first to regain movement in the wrist. These exercises will be done with the help of a therapist or a home exercise program. As the range of motion improves, exercises to improve strength will be added. It is important to start slowly and progress as tolerated to avoid re-injury.

The use of heat, ice, and electrical stimulation can also help with pain control. Heat can be used to loosen the muscles and reduce pain. Ice can be used to reduce swelling and inflammation. Electrical stimulation can be used to help reduce pain.

Therapy for a broken pisiform will continue until the wrist has a full range of motion and strength.

If you have broken your pisiform, contact your local physical therapist to start your road to recovery!

What Type Of Physical therapy Exercises Are Used For Broken Wrists?

There are various types of physical therapy exercises for broken wrists. They are included as follows:

Wrist extension: This is a movement in which you extend or straighten your wrist. It helps to stretch the muscles and tendons around the broken bone and also strengthens them.

Wrist flexion: This is a movement in which you bend your wrist. It helps to stretch the muscles and tendons around the broken bone and also strengthens them.

Wrist pronation: This is a movement in which you turn your palm down. It helps to stretch the muscles and tendons around the broken bone and also strengthens them.

Wrist supination: This is a movement in which you turn your palm up. It helps to stretch the muscles and tendons around the broken bone and also strengthens them.

Finger extension: This is a movement in which you extend or straighten your fingers. It helps to stretch the muscles and tendons around the broken bone and also strengthens them.

Finger flexion: This is a movement in which you bend your fingers. It helps to stretch the muscles and tendons around the broken bone and also strengthens them.

Your physical therapist will design a specific exercise program for you based on the type of broken wrist you have, the severity of your injury, and your overall health.

How long is physical therapy for a broken wrist?

Most people need physical therapy for 4-6 weeks.

Typically, you will come 3 times per week for the first 2-3 weeks. Then, you will come 2 times per week for the next 2-3 weeks. Finally, you will come once a week for the last 1-2 weeks, and function. Then, they will create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

If your broken wrist is not healing properly, you may need to see a specialist. A specialist can help you determine the cause of the problem and develop a treatment plan to correct it. You may need to see a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or both.

What can I expect during physical therapy for a broken wrist?

During your first visit, your physical therapist will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They will also want to know how the injury occurred. Be sure to tell them about any pain you are having and how it is affecting your daily activities.

Your physical therapist will then do a physical examination. This will help them determine the best course of treatment for you. They will look at the range of motion in your wrist and how much strength you have. They may also test your grip strength and sensation.

After the examination, your physical therapist will develop a treatment plan for you. This will likely include a combination of exercises and other therapies.

You will likely need to come in for several sessions over the course of several weeks. During each session, your physical therapist will guide you through a series of exercises. These exercises are designed to stretch and strengthen the muscles and tissues around your wrist.

What Are The Benefits of Physical Therapy for the Broken Wrists?

The benefits of physical therapy for a broken wrist are as follows:

 Improves the range of motion of the wrist

This is one of the most important benefits of physical therapy for a broken wrist. A break in the wrist can cause the bones to shift and change the alignment of the joints. This can lead to a loss of movement in the wrist and a decrease in grip strength. Physical therapy can help to improve the range of motion of the wrist and restore normal function.

strengthens the muscles around the joint

The muscles around the joint need to be strong to support the bones and joints. When these muscles are weak, it can lead to further injury. Physical therapy can help to strengthen the muscles around the joint and reduce the risk of further injury.

Improves circulation

When the bones are broken, it can cause a decrease in blood flow to the area. This can lead to swelling and pain. Physical therapy can help to improve circulation and reduce swelling.

 Reduces pain

One of the most common symptoms of a broken wrist is pain. Physical therapy can help to reduce pain and improve function.

Improves coordination

A broken wrist can cause the muscles and joints to be out of alignment. This can lead to a loss of coordination. Physical therapy can help to improve coordination and restore normal function.

 Reduces stress

One of the most common complications of a broken wrist is stress. Stress can lead to an increase in pain and swelling. Physical therapy can help to reduce stress and improve function.

 Improves range of motion

One of the most important benefits of physical therapy for a broken wrist is that it can help to improve the range of motion. A break in the wrist can cause the bones to shift and change the alignment of the joints. This can lead to a loss of movement in the wrist and a decrease in grip strength. Physical therapy can help to improve the range of motion of the wrist and restore normal function.

Improves function.

One of the most important benefits of physical therapy for a broken wrist is that it can help to improve function. A break in the wrist can cause the bones to shift and change the alignment of the joints. This can lead to a loss of movement in the wrist and a decrease in grip strength. Physical therapy can help to improve function and restore normal movement.

 Reduces swelling

One of the most common symptoms of a broken wrist is swelling. Physical therapy can help to reduce swelling and improve function.

Improves healing

One of the most important benefits of physical therapy for a broken wrist is that it can help to improve healing. A break in the wrist can cause the bones to shift and change the alignment of the joints. This can lead to a loss of movement in the wrist and a decrease in grip strength. The therapy can help to improve healing and restore normal function.

What Are The Risks of Physical Therapy for the Broken Wrists?

There are minimal risks associated with physical therapy for a broken wrist. However, as with any treatment, there are potential side effects. The most common side effect is soreness. This is usually temporary and can be managed with ice or heat. Other potential side effects include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Pain
• Limited range of motion
• Muscle weakness

Consult with your doctor or physical therapist to see if physical therapy is right for you.

Conclusion

It may be concluded that physical therapy for broken wrists is a necessary and effective means of rehabilitation. It can help patients regain strength, mobility, and function in their arms and hand. With the help of a physical therapist, patients can safely and effectively recover from a broken wrist.

If you have recently suffered a break in your wrist, or are recovering from surgery to repair a break, it is important to begin physical therapy as soon as possible. A qualified physical therapist can help you regain strength and mobility in your wrist so that you can return to your normal activities.

Physical Therapy help patients recover from pain. If you’re experiencing Back pain, Shoulder pain, Knee pain, Neck pain, Elbow pain, Hip pain, or Arthritis pain, a physical therapist at MantraCare can help: Book a physiotherapy session.