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Rehabilitation after distal radius fractures: is there a need for immobilization and physiotherapy?

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Abstract

Although the literature generally agrees that displaced distal radius fractures require surgery, no single consensus exists concerning the length of immobilization and type of post-operative physiotherapeutic rehabilitation program. Palmar locking plate fixation represents a very stable fixation of the distal radius, and was assessed biomechanically in various studies. Surprisingly, most authors report additional immobilization after plate fixation. One reason might be due to the pain caused during active wrist mobilization in the early post-operative stages or secondly to protect the osteosynthesis in the early healing stages preventing secondary loss of reduction. This article addresses the biomechanical principles, current available evidence for early mobilization/immobilization and impact of physiotherapy after operatively treated distal radius fractures.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Rose-Marie Sedlacek for proof reading this article. Without her help, this English publication would not have been possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AUVA Trauma Hospital Lorenz Böhler – European Hand Trauma Center, Donaueschingenstrasse 13, 1200, Vienna, Austria

    S. Quadlbauer, Ch. Pezzei, J. Jurkowitsch, R. Rosenauer, T. Keuchel, D. Simon, T. Beer, T. Hausner & M. Leixnering

  2. Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental und Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Center, 1200, Vienna, Austria

    S. Quadlbauer, R. Rosenauer & T. Hausner

  3. Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200, Vienna, Austria

    S. Quadlbauer, R. Rosenauer & T. Hausner

  4. Department of Physiotherapy, AUVA Trauma Hospital Lorenz Böhler – European Hand Trauma Center, 1200, Vienna, Austria

    B. Kolmayr

  5. Department for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020, Salzburg, Austria

    T. Hausner

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Quadlbauer, S., Pezzei, C., Jurkowitsch, J. et al. Rehabilitation after distal radius fractures: is there a need for immobilization and physiotherapy?. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 140, 651–663 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-020-03367-w

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