Physical Therapy After a Fracture
Common types of fractures and how physical therapy can help
A fracture is another way to say broken bone. Fractures that don’t receive prompt treatment can heal incorrectly or worsen as you continue using the broken bone. If you have recently suffered a fracture or are still working on overcoming symptoms, you may benefit from seeing a physical therapist. Luckily, our physical therapists at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy can help you regain strength, functional mobility, and your normal range of motion back after a fracture.
Set up an appointment at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy and start the healing process today!
What is a bone fracture?
When a bone experiences force that causes it to break or split, it results in a bone fracture, otherwise known as a broken bone. Fractures are most frequently brought on by a powerful impact, with young children and the elderly most susceptible. This is because elderly people typically have more brittle bones, and children are more likely to engage in high-risk activities.
The four basic types of bone fractures are displaced, non-displaced, open, and closed. When the bone splits into two or more fragments that appear uneven in some way, it results in a displaced fracture. When a bone breaks, but the divided parts stay in their correct positions, the injury is classified as a non-displaced fracture.
The difference between an open and closed fracture is whether or not the bone pierces the skin. When a fracture is closed, no open wound is present because the bone doesn’t enter the skin. On the other hand, an open fracture occurs when the bone breaks through the skin, increasing the patient’s risk of contracting an infection.
What are the symptoms of a fracture?
Most fractures will cause intense pain when the initial injury occurs, which may worsen with movement or physical touch. Other common symptoms of a fracture include:
swelling, redness, and bruises in the affected area
snapping or grinding sound when the injury happens
having trouble bearing weight on the afflicted area
noticeable deviation in the region of injury
The role of a physical therapist in recovery
Your practitioner may refer you to physical therapy once you are well enough, recovered, and can travel. This typically occurs after the cast has been removed, and you can move the fractured area.
Your physical therapist will perform an examination and assessment during your initial session. During this appointment, he or she will collect essential details about your medical history, current symptoms, and recovery goals which will help to determine your treatment plan. Your therapist plays a vital role in improving your:
- Range of motion
- Pain
- Flexibility
- Function/mobility
- Strength
- Swelling/inflammation
How do physical therapists treat a fracture?
Our physical therapists at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy provide rehabilitative exercises to restore normal range of motion, strength, and functional mobility following a fracture or surgery. Some exercises that your PT will recommend include:
- Patient education: Patient education introduces patients to ways to succeed with daily tasks considering their injury. This may consist of assistive devices that patients can use during various tasks, such as walking up and down the stairs.
- Therapeutic massage: Soft tissue massage targets swelling, edema, and inflammation due to the fracture. This helps to alleviate pain so patients can practice exercises and restore functions more efficiently.
- Scar management (postoperative): this helps to keep the skin flexible and supple after surgery. Studies show that physical scar management encourages the prevention of an abnormal healing process of the skin.
- Ice therapy: When ice is applied to the area, blood vessels contract, which reduces circulation and swelling. It is also a useful method for easing pain.
- Stretching exercises: Your physical therapist will likely integrate stretching exercises into your treatment plan, which target the joints to regain your range of movement.
- Manual therapy: Uses hands-on methods that focus on the affected area. Manual therapy helps to regain joint mobility.
- Strengthening regime: To return to full activity after an injury, strengthening exercises are necessary for building up lost muscle mass and bone density.
Request an appointment today!
Fractures should be tended to and treated as soon as possible. Fortunately, our team is here to provide you with the best treatment so you can recover safely and quickly. Call us at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment today!