Wrist fracture is a term used to describe a break at the far (distal) ends of the radius and ulna in the forearm, or in the carpal bones at the base of the hand. The carpal bone most commonly affected is called the scaphoid. After the initial period of healing, physical therapy and rehabilitation are typically necessary to restore proper strength, range of motion and flexibility to the area of injury.
Initial Recovery
If you break your wrist, your initial period of healing will probably last roughly six to 12 weeks. Your actual recovery time will vary with the severity of your fracture, and whether nearby ligaments in your wrist were also affected. However, after your cast is removed, your wrist will still be in a relatively weakened state. Depending on the extent of your injury, it may take months or years to restore the full strength of your bones and provide the same capabilities you originally possessed.
Establishing a Rehabilitation Program
Establishing an appropriate rehabilitation program will help restore your wrist function as soon as possible. To create such a program, you can seek out help from a physical therapist, hand therapist or occupational therapist. Each of these professionals can help make assessments of the current state of your wrist and devise an exercise plan that will assist your recovery. Typically, you will initially learn and perform your exercises in your therapist's presence, then continue them at home when appropriate.
Stretching Exercises
The overall goal of your treatment will be a return of your normal range of motion, as well as your strength and your ability to use your wrist to perform everyday tasks and activities. According to the University of Michigan Health System, you may begin performing stretching exercises when your cast is removed. Potential wrist stretching options include forward bends (flexion exercises), backward bends (extension exercises) and side-to-side stretches. As a rule, you should perform these movements gently to avoid aggravating your wrist. If necessary, your therapist will add cold or heat treatments to your program to reduce any pain or swelling you may experience.
Strength Exercises
When you can perform your stretching exercises with a minimum of pain, you may add strengthening exercises to your routine. Potential options include flexion and extension exercises while holding a small amount of weight in your hand, and flexion and extension exercises for your fingers. You may also perform forearm pronation and supination exercises, which require you to turn your palm upward or downward for a few seconds at a time. For a greater challenge, these exercises can be performed while you hold a small amount of weight in your hand. Typically, you will increase the intensity of these exercises as your strength allows.
Ask your therapist for complete guidelines for a wrist fracture therapy program.
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