Rehabilitation Through Hand Therapy After Wrist Fracture: Restoring Strength and Mobility

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Rehabilitation Through Hand Therapy After Wrist Fracture: Restoring Strength and Mobility

Hand Therapy after wrist Fracture
Mar 10, 2024
Hand Therapy, physical therapy

Wrist fractures are common and can be challenging injuries. They can happen in a blink of an eye—slipping on a sidewalk, taking a tumble on the soccer field, or even just a twist at the wrong time. The aftermath can leave you with pain, limited movement, and an everyday life that suddenly feels a whole lot harder. If this sounds like you, know that you’re not alone, and there is a solution: wrist fracture rehabilitation at Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab.

Our hand therapists specialize in conditions affecting hands and upper extremities like your wrists. We’ll use the most cutting-edge strategies and techniques to help you regain strength, restore mobility and function so you can resume your daily activities without pain or difficulty.

These exercises can be a game-changer if you struggle with daily tasks like opening jars, turning a doorknob, or swinging a tennis racquet. Therapy at Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab could be your ticket to resuming the activities you love!

Call our clinic for more information, or read on to learn more about how our dedicated hand therapy team can assist with your rehabilitation!

Wrist Fracture: Understanding Your Injury

One of the most common types of wrist fractures is the distal radius fracture, where the end of the larger bone in your forearm, the radius, breaks. In layperson’s terms, you’ve broken the part of your wrist closest to your thumb. This type of fracture is often the result of a fall on an outstretched hand, just like our bike ride scenario.

Another frequent wrist fracture is the scaphoid. In this case, one of the small carpal bones in your wrist, the one located near your thumb, gets damaged.

Wrist fractures are usually present with certain telltale signs and symptoms. You might experience immediate pain, swelling, or bruising around the wrist. Other indicators could be tenderness, stiffness, a decreased range of motion in your wrist, or even the inability to use your hand effectively.

The common causes and risk factors include the following:

  • Falling onto an outstretched hand tops the list.
  • Engaging in sports, particularly those involving contact or potential falls like skating, cycling, or skiing, can increase the risk.
  • Occupational hazards (i.e., working at heights or operating heavy machinery) can also contribute.
  • Older adults are at higher risk due to conditions like osteoporosis, which weakens the bones.

Hand therapy, an occupational or physical therapy focusing on upper extremity injuries, plays a significant role in wrist fracture rehabilitation. Our highly trained hand therapists use exercises, techniques, and interventions to promote healing, restore strength, and regain mobility.

How Hand Therapy at Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab Can Help You Find Relief

When it comes to wrist fracture rehabilitation, hand therapy is an absolute game-changer. Imagine regaining the strength and mobility in your wrist, holding a pen, swinging a tennis racket, or simply waving goodbye without any pain or discomfort. That’s the magic of hand therapy.

Hand therapy focuses on rehabilitating injuries and conditions within the upper extremity (your hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder). Our hand therapists are highly trained in the most effective treatment methods and strategies that promote healing, restore strength, and get you back to doing what you love.

Walking into your first-hand therapy session, you might need guidance on what to expect. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Each session is uniquely tailored to meet your needs and speed up your recovery process.

It begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your injury, daily routines, and personal goals. Based on this, we develop a customized treatment plan, with interventions ranging from manual therapy, mobility work, and strengthening exercises. We’ll also guide you through functional exercises, replicating day-to-day tasks to help you get back to your normal routine quicker.

You can expect targeted exercises to help improve flexibility and movement. Manual therapy may also be employed to help manage pain and swelling. Moreover, the treatment plan will include strengthening exercises that gradually rebuild muscle and restore function in your wrist.

In addition to these in-clinic sessions, we also equip you with knowledge and exercises you can perform at home. This means your healing process is ongoing, even when you’re not in the clinic.

And remember, our Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab clinic is always here for you. Have a question? Ask away. We’re committed to working with you, listening to your goals, and ensuring your overall satisfaction and recovery.

Taking the Next Step in Your Recovery Journey

So, are you ready to embrace a life without wrist pain? Are you ready to regain strength and mobility in your wrist? If the answer is yes, then hand therapy could be just what you need. It’s more than just treatment. It’s a partnership, with us guiding you every step of the way to ensure you get the best possible outcomes.

It’s time to take that all-important first step in your wrist fracture rehabilitation journey. Call us today to learn more about how hand therapy can help restore strength and mobility to your wrist!

Sources:
Hand Therapy, physical therapy