Post-Fracture Rehabilitation

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Rehab Goals & Principles - Roadmap Rules

  • Primary Goals:
    • Restore full, pain-free function (ROM, strength, endurance).
    • Achieve maximal independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
    • Prevent complications: joint stiffness, muscle atrophy, DVT, CRPS.
    • Facilitate timely return to work/sport.
    • Comprehensive patient education on self-management.
  • Guiding Principles (📌 P.R.E.C.I.S.E.):
    • Patient-specific, goal-oriented plan.
    • Restoration of normal biomechanics & function.
    • Early, yet protected and controlled, mobilization.
    • Coordinated multidisciplinary team approach.
    • Incremental, criteria-based progression (phased).
    • Stability of fracture dictates activity levels.
    • Education for adherence and empowerment.

⭐ Early controlled mobilization is key to prevent stiffness and promote optimal healing, guided by fracture stability.

Phases of Healing - Stepping Stones

  • 1. Inflammatory (Reactive) Phase (Days 1-7)

    • Hematoma formation & acute inflammation.
    • Platelets release growth factors (PDGF, TGF-β).
    • Cellular influx: neutrophils, macrophages.
  • 2. Reparative Phase (Weeks 2-12+)

      • Soft Callus Formation (~2-3 weeks):
      • Granulation tissue, angiogenesis.
      • Fibrocartilaginous callus forms, ↓ pain & ↑ stability.
      • Hard Callus Formation (~4-12 weeks):
      • Woven bone replaces soft callus via endochondral ossification.
      • Clinical union: non-tender, no movement at fracture site.
      • Radiological union: bridging callus on X-ray.
  • 3. Remodeling Phase (Months to Years)

    • Woven bone gradually replaced by lamellar bone.
    • Medullary canal re-established.
    • Bone reshapes according to mechanical stress.

⭐ Wolff's Law: Bone adapts to the loads placed upon it, underpinning the importance of progressive weight-bearing and exercise in remodeling.

Bone fracture healing phases

Rehab Modalities - Movement Arsenal

  • Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises:
    • Passive ROM (PROM): Therapist/device moves joint.
    • Active-Assisted ROM (AAROM): Patient assists movement.
    • Active ROM (AROM): Patient moves joint independently.
  • Strengthening Exercises:
    • Isometric: Muscle contraction, no joint movement.
    • Isotonic: Constant tension (concentric/eccentric).
    • Isokinetic: Constant speed via machine.
  • Proprioception & Balance Training:
    • E.g., Wobble boards, balance pads, single-leg stance.
  • Physical Agents (Modalities):
    • Cryotherapy: ↓pain, ↓swelling (e.g., ice packs 15-20 min).
    • Thermotherapy: ↑blood flow, ↓stiffness (e.g., hot packs 15-20 min).
    • Electrotherapy: TENS (pain), NMES (muscle function).
    • Therapeutic Ultrasound: Deep heating, promotes healing.
    • Hydrotherapy: Buoyancy aids movement, reduces stress on joints.
  • Functional Training:
    • Task-specific activities, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) retraining.

⭐ Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) can be vital in mitigating disuse atrophy during periods of immobilization or restricted movement.

Physical therapist assists with leg raise exercise

Complications & Fixes - Rehab Hurdles

  • Common Hurdles & Management:
    • Pain:
      • Chronic: Multimodal (NSAIDs, opioids, adjuvants).
      • CRPS: Severe pain, edema, skin changes. 📌 Budapest criteria.

        ⭐ Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type I (formerly RSD) can occur after trauma, characterized by severe pain, autonomic dysfunction, and trophic changes, often disproportionate to the initial injury.

      • Tx: Mobilization, PT, Gabapentin.
    • Stiffness/Contractures:
      • Prevent: Early ROM.
      • Tx: Stretching, splints, MUA.
    • Muscle Weakness/Atrophy:
      • Resistive exercises, NMES.
    • Swelling (Persistent Edema):
      • Elevation, compression, MLD.
    • Delayed Union/Non-union:
      • Causes: Poor vascularity, infection, instability.
      • Tx: Bone stimulators, surgery (grafting, revision).
    • Malunion:
      • Corrective osteotomy if limiting.
    • DVT/PE:
      • Prophylaxis, early mobilization.
    • Infection (Surgical Site/Hardware):
      • Antibiotics, debridement, hardware removal.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Early mobilization prevents joint stiffness, muscle atrophy, and DVT.
  • Rehab phases: Inflammatory, Reparative, Remodelling; guide interventions.
  • Weight-bearing advances with healing: NWB → PWB → FWB.
  • Effective pain management is crucial for active rehabilitation.
  • Restore ROM (Passive → Active) and strength (Isometric → Isotonic) progressively.
  • Proprioception training is key for functional recovery, especially lower limb.
  • Monitor for CRPS, non-union, and joint contractures.

Practice Questions: Post-Fracture Rehabilitation

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