Early controlled mobilization using dart-throwing motion with a twist for the conservative management of an intra-articular distal radius fracture and scapholunate ligament injury: A case report.
This case describes an early controlled mobilization (ECM) approach that uses dart-throwing motion (DTM) with a twist orthoses as an alternative to immobilization for conservative management of a minimally displaced and intra-articular distal radius styloid fracture with an associated scapholunate ligament injury in a 47-year-old female health care administrator (JP). Pain-free active DTM began at day 10 (5 times/d) with a dynamic DTM with a twist orthosis worn during the day from weeks 3 to 6. At 6 weeks, JP had pain-free functional mobility and strength with minimal limitation in household and occupational activities, returning to her normal sporting activities by 3 months. ECM led to rapid return of normal functioning in the short term with no apparent impact on intermediate outcomes at 8 months. This case allows hand therapists to consider a similar ECM approach for the management of similar injuries in their patients.


METHODS
Level 5 and case report.
Clinical Research, Rehabilitation Program, Fraser Health Authority, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: Lynne.Feehan@gmail.com.
Lynne
L
Feehan
HealthOne Physiotherapy & Hand Clinic, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
Trevor
T
Fraser
D000072700:Conservative Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries; D013165:Splints; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*
Dart-throwing motion; Distal radius fracture; Early mobilization; Scapholunate ligament