Healing Beyond the Break: The Vital Role of Physiotherapists in Fracture Recovery

Fractures are more than just physical injuries; they encompass a journey of challenges and triumphs that extend far beyond the initial trauma. The aftermath of fractures involves not only the physical healing of bones but also the rehabilitation of muscles, joints, and overall function. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the multifaceted aftermath of fractures and examine the indispensable role of physiotherapists in guiding individuals through the path to recovery.

Understanding the Aftermath of Fractures

The aftermath of fractures is a complexinterplay of physical, emotional, and functional challenges that individuals face during their recovery journey. Beyond the acute pain and discomfort associated with the fracture itself, several factors contribute to the overall impact of the injury:

Physical Impairments: Fractures often result in a range of physical impairments, including muscle weakness, joint stiffness, reduced range of motion, and altered biomechanics. Immobilization during the healing process can lead to muscle atrophy and loss of strength, further exacerbating functional limitations.
Emotional Distress: The psychological impact of fractures should not be underestimated. The sudden loss of mobility and independence, coupled with fear of reinjury, can significantly impact an individual’s emotional well-being. Anxiety, depression, and feelings of frustration are common emotional responses experienced during the recovery period.
Functional Limitations: Fractures can disrupt daily activities and functional independence, requiring individuals to adapt their lifestyle and modify their routines. Simple tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, and performing household chores may become challenging or impossible in the immediate aftermath of the injury.

An athlete receiving rehibilitative care for a sports injury.

Role of A Physiotherapist in Fracture Recovery

Physiotherapists play a crucial role in facilitating the recovery process and guiding individuals towards optimal outcomes. Their expertise encompasses a wide range of interventions aimed at addressing the physical, functional, and emotional aspects of fracture recovery:

Comprehensive Assessment Of Fracture

A comprehensive assessment by a physiotherapist for fractures is essential to understand the extent of injury, identify impairments, and develop an effective rehabilitation plan. Below is an outline of the key components involved in a comprehensive assessment by a physiotherapist for fractures:

Medical History

The physiotherapist begins by gathering a detailed medical history, including information about the fracture, its mechanism of injury, any surgical interventions, and the current stage of healing.
They also inquire about any pre-existing medical conditions, medications, allergies, and previous experiences with fractures or musculoskeletal injuries.

Pain Assessment

Pain is a common symptom associated with fractures and can significantly impact rehabilitation.
The physiotherapist assesses the location, intensity, quality, and aggravating/alleviating factors of pain using standardized pain scales and subjective questioning.
They also evaluate the impact of pain on activities of daily living, sleep quality, and emotional well-being.

Physical Examination

The physiotherapist conducts a thorough physical examination to assess the musculoskeletal system, including the injured area and adjacent structures.
They examine for signs of inflammation, swelling, bruising, deformity, and skin integrity around the fracture site.
Range of motion, muscle strength, joint stability, and neurological status are evaluated to identify impairments and functional deficits.

Functional Assessment

Functional limitations resulting from the fracture are assessed through various functional tests and measures.
Activities of daily living (ADLs) such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, and dressing are evaluated to determine the individual’s functional independence and mobility.
Functional mobility tests, balance assessments, and gait analysis provide valuable insights into the individual’s ability to perform daily tasks and navigate their environment.

Assessment of Mobility and Weight-Bearing Status

The physiotherapist assesses the individual’s ability to bear weight and move the affected limb or body part.
Weight-bearing status is determined based on the type and location of the fracture, as well as any weight-bearing restrictions imposed by the treating physician.
Mobility aids such as crutches, walkers, or braces may be provided as necessary to support safe and efficient movement during the rehabilitation process.

Psychosocial Assessment

Fractures can have a significant impact on an individual’s psychological well-being and quality of life.
The physiotherapist assesses psychosocial factors such as emotional distress, anxiety, depression, fear of reinjury, and social support systems.
Open-ended questioning and active listening help identify concerns and address any psychosocial barriers that may affect the individual’s recovery and adherence to rehabilitation.

Outcome Measures and Goal Setting

Objective outcome measures and functional assessments are used to establish baseline values and track progress throughout the rehabilitation process.
The physiotherapist collaborates with the individual to set realistic short-term and long-term goals based on their functional abilities, rehabilitation potential, and personal preferences.
Goal setting is an essential component of rehabilitation planning, providing motivation and direction for the individual’s recovery journey.

Early Mobilization and Range of Motion Exercises after fracture

Early mobilization and range of motion exercises are crucial components of rehabilitation after a fracture. These interventions aim to prevent complications associated with prolonged immobilization, promote tissue healing, restore joint mobility, and minimize stiffness. However, it’s essential to approach early mobilization and range of motion exercises with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional, such as a physiotherapist or orthopedic surgeon, to ensure safety and optimize outcomes.

Early Mobilization

Early mobilization refers to the initiation of movement and weight-bearing activities as soon as medically safe and appropriate after a fracture.
Benefits of early mobilization include improved circulation, prevention of muscle atrophy, maintenance of joint mobility, and psychological well-being.
The timing and extent of early mobilization depend on factors such as the type and location of the fracture, surgical interventions, and individual considerations.

Range of Motion Exercises

Range of motion exercises aim to restore flexibility, reduce stiffness, and improve joint mobility around the fracture site. Range of motion exercises should be performed within pain-free ranges and tailored to the specific needs and limitations of the individual. Types of range of motion exercises:

Passive Range of Motion (PROM): In passive range of motion exercises, the affected limb or body part is moved through its available range of motion by an external force, such as a physiotherapist or assistive device. This is particularly beneficial in the early stages of rehabilitation when active movement may be limited.
Active-Assistive Range of Motion (AAROM): Active-assistive range of motion exercises involve the individual actively moving the affected limb or body part with the assistance of the unaffected limb or an external device. This helps improve muscle activation and joint mobility while minimizing strain.
Active Range of Motion (AROM): Active range of motion exercises involve the individual independently moving the affected limb or body part through its available range of motion. These exercises promote muscle strength, coordination, and proprioception while improving joint mobility.

Progression of Range of Motion Exercises

Range of motion exercises should be progressed gradually based on individual tolerance, pain levels, and healing progression.
The physiotherapist will guide the progression of exercises, gradually increasing the range of motion, resistance, and complexity as the individual’s condition improves.
Monitoring for signs of pain, swelling, or increased discomfort is essential, and adjustments to the exercise program may be made accordingly.

Early assessment and mobilization exercises are essential components of fracture rehabilitation, promoting tissue healing, preventing complications, and restoring joint mobility. These interventions should be performed under the guidance of a healthcare professional and tailored to the individual’s specific needs and limitations

We Hope You Know

Fracture recovery is a multifaceted journey that requires a comprehensive approach addressing physical, emotional, and functional aspects of healing. The physiotherapists at RRCP play a pivotal role in guiding individuals through this journey, offering expertise in rehabilitation interventions, pain management, and emotional support. Through our unwavering commitment to optimizing recovery outcomes, physiotherapists like us believe in empowering individuals to regain control over their bodies and lives post-fracture. Join with us on this journey and become a triphumants of the field as physiotherapists.

December 5, 2019December 17, 2019

Board Games Can Keep Cognitive Degradation At Bay – A Study

We all know that board games are a fun way to be engaged in play in doors particularly for kids. But, here’s some news. A new study carried out by the Researchers at Edinburgh university of United Kingdom reveals that board games could actually help Older Adults avert off their cognitive decline. The paper was authored by Drew Altschul of School of philosophy, Pscychology and Language sciences in association with Professor Deary, director of Edinburgh Lothian Birth Cohorts and published in the Journals of Gerontology.

FBHDTJ Still-life selection of board games (Monopoly, Chess, Cluedo, Scrabble) with playing cards and gambling chips

The study was carried out on 1091 subjects born in the year 1936 for assessment of their mental and cognitive capabilities. The researchers did the evaluation for cognitive functioning across ages 11, 70, 73, 79 with the help of 14 different standard cognitive tests.

The study included asking questions to participants in the age group of 70 and 76 about how many times across the week they indulged in board games like bingo, chess, crosswords, cards, bingo and more . The researchers also took into account confounding factors like education, early life cognitive function, activity levels, sex and health issues to name a few, as a part of their analysis.

The results unleashed that the people who were more into board games in their later year’s post 70’s were better off maintaining their cognitive functioning. Particularly those older adults who indulged in analog games post 70’s showed relative less decline in cognitive abilities across 11 and 70 years and also between the age of 70 and 79.

Altschul, one of the study leads says “ these latest findings add to evidence that being more engaged in activities during the life course might be associated with better thinking skills in later life”.

While coauthor thinks that there is a possibility that there is an interpretation of results as push to start playing board games and avoid cognitive decline.

*Sourced from Internet

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November 21, 2019November 21, 2019

Exercise Your Way To Reduce Depression

A First of its kind study has revealed that physical activity can aid in reducing depression even if there is a higher genetic risk. The study was carried out by author Karmel Choi, Ph.D and her colleagues at the Massachusetts General Hospital of Boston. They used the electronic and genomic data records of 8000 participants in Partners biobank for the study. The study was spread across 2 years wherein the lead author Choi and his team studied through millions of data points in order to look into people having any depression related diagnosis.

They also calculated the genetic risk score for every participant by combining information around every participant complete genome to come to score that determines their genetic risk for developing depression. The data also revealed that people with high genetic risk score could be diagnosed about it anytime in the coming 2 years. But, those who were active physically even with higher genetic risk of depression were less likely to experience depression.

As per Choi an average 35 minutes of exercise on a daily basis could help you reduce the risk of depression and even protect you against depression bouts in future. The findings of the study Choi said that “our findings strongly suggest that, when it comes to depression, genes are not destiny and that being physically active has the potential to neutralize the added risk of future episodes in individuals who are genetically vulnerable”.

Well, exercise is always a good idea because it is useful and sparing out 30 to 35 minutes for yourself every day is the least you could do for your own wellness. A fit body definitely helps to keep you mind fit. So, invest in exercising atleast half and hour a day and you’ll see the difference in your overall fitness levels soon.

“The department of physiotherapy was established in 2003 at RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital to cater to the preventive, creative, therapeutic and rehabilitation needs of the rural people need was felt to impart the much needed physiotherapy vocational and rehabilitation training programme. “

September 17, 2019October 29, 2019

Sports Hobbies For Middle Aged Women – Benefits

A study around post-menopausal women published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology reveals that physical activity that involves sports in leisure time helps in managing the blood lipid profile well, thus reducing cardiovascular conditions as blood lipid profile is a market of heart conditions.

As per Karvinen and his team, after menopause the risk of cardiovascular conditions increases significantly in women and lipid profile is a reliable marker to measure heart health. He and his colleagues investigated around 193 menopausal women participants of the age group 47-55 from Finland, registered for the Estrogenic Regulation of Muscle Apoptosis (ERMA) study. The study is co-authored by Dr Mathew Jergenson of Minnesota Medical School and University in Minneapolis. The reason behind conducting the study as per him was to explore if physical activity did have a role in cardiovascular risk factors.

He says “It is well known that physical activity has health benefits, yet it is less clear to what extent physical activity prevents negative changes in lipid profile while women are in their menopausal transition. The participants were monitored for physical activity levels in leisure time, generally and specifically also, using accelerometers and had to answer questions as well.

Leisure is the time that is not related to routine daily work be it housework or commuting and includes sport or recreation activities in free time.

The researchers found out that there was indeed a connection between more activities during leisure time and lowering of cholesterol levels particularly (LDL) as well as with high levels of cholesterol (HDL). Karvin reports that indeed the leisure time physical activities were related to healthy lipid profiles. But, that does not mean that the negative changes in lipid profile during menopause can be fully done away with due to leisure time sports activities.

The author also said that leisure time physical activities will underscore the adverse atherogenic changes in the cardiovascular risk factors in middle aged women who are healthy. Hence, sport related activities in leisure are good.

*Sourced from Internet

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September 27, 2017

Lower Back Pain vs Kidney Pain – The Difference

Many of us fail to figure out the difference when we experience pain particularly when its either kidney or lower back pain. So, to begin get down to the definition of lower back pain and kidney pain.

It’s called lower back pain when it occurs anywhere from the buttocks upto the lower back. While kidney pain is said to occur between the hips or flanks and the ribs. At times you may experience it in the upper abdominal region as well. Well, this is the basic difference in back pain and kidney pain but otherwise also there are many other difference that can help you figure out which kind of pain you are suffering from. Here’s a sneak peek into a few other differences between kidney pain and lower back pain.

Kidney Pain
Kidney pain is the result of a kidney infection or a kidney stone usually. Kidney infection can cause mild pain but kidney stone pain is very severe in nature and often compared to labor pain.

Causes
The causes of kidney pain include kidney infection and kidney stones as mentioned before besides the pain could also be a result of renal infarction, kidney cancer and glomerulonephritis.

Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is further divided as acute pain and chronic pain. While acute pain lasts for around 4 to 12 weeks, chronic back pain can easily last over 12 weeks. Also known as lumbago it affects people of all age groups.

Causes
Lower back pain is a result of muscle sprain, spasm or tear leading to disc bulge or herniation, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis or sciatica. It could also be due to vertebral body, pedicle fracture or fracture of lamina. It can be caused due to Paravertebral muscle spasm or metastatic vertebral cancer.

Pain Management
Kidney Pain – Kidney pain treatment depends of its causes and usually involves use of antibiotics and medications if its infection but in case of kidney stones if that does not work a laser surgery or a minimally invasive surgery could be carried out.

Back Pain – For relief against lower back pain issues treatment could include suitable therapies like heat and cold, physical and massage therapies to name a few. In case with complications based on the diagnosis surgical procedures might be advised.

Well, its always advisable to visit your doctor if you suffer from back pain in order to figure out the root cause of the problem, be it kidney or lower back.

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September 18, 2017

5 Supplements Women Need After 30

Many a times, lost in responsibilities around office or home, family or kids women forget about personal health or keep ignoring them. Till women are in the twenties, body is younger and fitter and hence copes in a better way. But, post 30 as you are nearly knocking door of your middle age, is when you really need to look into your bodily needs.
After 30 there are a lot of changes that occur in a women’s body and are more visible after 35 years of age. These include changes in menstrual cycles, urinary incontinence, fibroids, pregnancy difficulties, prominent signs of aging, slow metabolism, but to name a few.

As per experts and specialists supplements can work well in maintaining the balance of nutrients required by the body.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D as we all know helps in a lot of ways that include immunity building, genes regulation, cancer prevention, bone health and more. The best, easy and affordable source of Vitamin D is sunlight. Sitting in the sunlight with minimal clothing for an hour can work well for your body. If not than Vitamin D supplements is the alternative.

Anti- Oxidants
It is in the mid or late thirties that women start noticing fine lines as well as thinning of skin. But, this process of aging can be slowed down with the help for a few minerals and vitamins together known as anti-oxidants. In order to boost immunity besides slowing aging women need to take in atleast 15 mg of Vitamin E. Further taking in 75 mg of Vitman C, which facilitates in vitamin E absorption and Vitamin A for protection against sun damage and eye

protection.
Omega 3 fatty acids/ fish oil
As per doctors, our body needs 3 gms of omega 3 fatty acids per day. These help in keeping our joints health, weight management, keeping our blood fats normal and optimizing brain function. As these are essential fats and our body cannot make them taking mercury free supplements are advisable.

Calcium, Magnesium & Iron
Calcium and magnesium help in bone building as well as producing energy and for better nerve functioning. Iron is also an essential nutrient responsible for keeping you active and protecting against infections as well as maintaining body temperature. As per experts our body requires about 18 mg per day. Though a pregnant and nursing women requires 27 mg and 9 mg per day respectively. Vitamin C and A help a lot in iron absorption.

As a busy woman, you might be occupied with umpteen activities around house, kids and family but its your health that equally matters so do take care of your health as well.

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September 11, 2017

Artificial Limbs That Respond To Thoughts – A Reality That Costs A Fortune

Over the years, scientists have been working on prosthetic limbs that can respond to human thoughts. These projects have been heavily funded by many organizations and defense agencies across the world. A significant development in the direction has now led to the creation of the first ever prosthetic limb that responds to human thoughts much like a real limb.

Earlier, there was news about creation of prosthetic limbs that respond to thoughts but their movement was quite limited and hence, people in need either abandoned them or never preferred to use them. But, as per the doctor of Imperial college London, the new approach which shifts their focus from the muscles to the nervous system has helped them create a limb that responds to thoughts effectively.

According to him, their technology helps them detect and decode the signals clearly. The experiments and testing have been carried out with amputee volunteers and after physiotherapy they have been able to make more extensive movements.

Today, a lot of research scientists are already working and testing bionic arms. There is already and alternative of using brain implants available. But, the benefit of using the nerve from the spine is the compatibility factor, making it usable with existing prosthetic arms that too wire free linking from the brain, as per the researchers at Imperial College of London.

Another example is that of a thought controlled prosthetic being developed at the John Hopkins University, USA. It is being tested on a 50 plus amputee who lost his limbs in an electrical accident as a teenager. It is yet to be clinically tested and find a place in the market. The limbs are called Modular Prosthetic Limbs or MPL and the customer socket inside brain can pick up brain signals that control the arms. Thus, just by thinking the amputee is able to move the limb or limbs. To do the same, the amputee had to undergo a surgery for remapping the remaining nerves of his/her missing arms so that the brain could send signals to the prosthetic. As per the chief engineer at John Hopkins, with the remapping growing deeper, the working will better because of the over 100 sensors fitted in the arm. Another advantage of MPL being its modular design. This design helps in creating prosthetic limbs customized as per individual requirements.

Having said that, as on day MPL costs a bomb, as much as a Maserati car to be precise. Well, scientists are yet to work on a budget prosthetic, affordable to people in need. experts at John Hopkins are also working on creating caps that send signals about brain activity to the robotic arm. As for the market availability, they do hope to make the MPL available to the consumers within a few years.

August 18, 2017

The Rising Demand for Occupational Therapists in India

Over the years Occupational therapy has garnered a lot of eye balls and youth seem to be interested in this career that not just pays but gives immense work satisfaction as well. The work of an occupational therapist involves around helping physically and mentally challenged people to manage themselves independently. This includes performing daily chores, play, work and more.

For becoming an Occupational therapist you need to opt for Bachelors in Occupational Therapy degree course after 12th Science. It is a four year course and is offered by numerous medical colleges across India. Some of them offer direct admissions on the basis of percentage while for some you need to crack the entrance.

The syllabus includes a foundation course in research methodology besides an amalgamation of subjects from psychology, orthopaedics, psychiatry, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, surgery combined with ergonomics and occupational therapy. After completion of the four years course you need to undergo a six months full time clinically oriented training internship program. After which you can start working as a professional or carry on with your PG diploma, masters and doctorate.

One major reason behind the rising demand also lies in the fact that in India only 20 institutions offering 9 graduate programs for occupational therapy. This number seems to be a meager one as compared to the leap frogging number of patients suffering from physical and mental disabilities. Hence, as far as the job opportunities are concerned, there is undoubtedly immense scope in both private and public sectors. You may either work with hospitals, schools, public healthcare institutions or carry out private practice in a clinic or alongside other specialists.

Well, occupational therapy is no child’s play but beyond a profession that offers a lucrative career, it is more about community service. Occupational therapists train families and care takers to deal with patients having disabilities in a positive way, thus helping them become independent, productive and lead a normal life.

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