title: The role of physiotherapy and clinical predictors of outcome after fracture of the distal radius.
abstract: The capacity for physiotherapy to improve the outcome after fracture of the distal radius is unproven. We carried out a randomised controlled trial on 96 patients, comparing conventional physiotherapy with a regime of home exercises. The function of the upper limb was assessed at the time of removal of the plaster cast and at three and six months after injury. Factors which may predict poor outcome in these patients were sought. Grip strength and hand function did not significantly differ between the two groups. Flexion and extension of the wrist were the only movements to improve with physiotherapy at six months (p = 0.001). Predictors of poor functional outcome were malunion and impaired function before the fracture. These patients presented with pain, decreased rotation of the forearm and low functional scores at six weeks. Our study has shown that home exercises are adequate rehabilitation after uncomplicated fracture of the distal radius, and routine referral for a course of physiotherapy should be discouraged. The role of physiotherapy in patients at high risk of a poor outcome requires further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Outpatient Department, Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Wakefield
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: McQueen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000503:physiopathology; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000503:physiopathology; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012648:Self Care; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology