Why physiotherapy is important after fracture

As a clinician with more than 20 years experience I often get asked why physiotherapy is important after fracture .  After all once you are out of plaster the bone is healed so what else is there to worry about?

Most of the problems after a plaster is removed relate to how still the plaster, quite intentionally, holds you while it is in place.  We can use this to inform us why physiotherapy is important after fracture

Being still increases joint stiffness

As anyone over 40 who has been on a long haul flight will tell you being still for a while can make your joints stiff.  Usually a fracture plaster intends to immobilise the joint above and below the fracture.  If a 12 hour flight can make you feel stiff imagine what 6 weeks completely still does? Now the good news, I did a PhD for four years on joint stiffness.  I know a range of hands on techniques to work away that stiffness and the optimal exercise to get your joints functioning again.

Being still reduces Strength

As anyone who regularly exercises will tell you reducing the amount you work out reduces how strong you will be.  Holding a joint still switches the muscles off around that joint.  Our bodies adapt to the forces put upon them, no muscle contractions means the body reduces the size of the muscle making it weaker.  Once the joints are working we’ll start you on home exercises so you can regularly spark muscles into action.

Being still can do unusual things

Depending on which bone was injured and the approach the Doctors used while the fracture was healing different things need to be assessed and treated.  Ankles and feet give lots of feedback to our brain about balance, shoulders have tight areas where muscles can get squashed (impinged) and any lower limb fracture will need assessment of walking.  Clinical experience really helps guide this approach.

It’s easy to get help from Pure Physio Albany:

Give us a call on 09 4481277 to sort an appointment or click here to book online.  Pure Physio is located at Unit 4 Number 18, Airborne Road, Rosedale, Auckland 0632