Physical Therapy for Fractures

In the unfortunate case of suffering a bone fracture, (also known as a broken bone), the injury can be very painful, and the recovery can be very tedious. As the human skeleton has such a large quantity of bones, recovery time and rehabilitation methods will vary. For example, a broken finger should be treated very differently than a broken tibia. After a bone has been fractured, visiting a physical therapist can help make sure your bone is healing properly, and on the right track to functioning normally in the long-term.

For many fractures, a physical therapist can reset the alignment of the affected bone through a process called reduction. This is to make sure the bone is in the right place and does not heal in an improper position. Improper healing could lead to worse complications in the future. In more serious cases, a surgeon may have to surgically cut through the skin and muscle tissue to ensure the alignment is correct. In this case, screws and brackets may be installed to ensure the bone pieces can properly fuse together.

While the bone is healing, patients are often instructed to avoid any movement in the affected area. Because of this, the process of gradually being able to use the said area again can be difficult. A physical therapist can help the patient return their once-injured part faster and properly. Depending on what bone was affected, the patient may be given as an assistive devices such as a sling or a pair of crutches. When at the physical therapist’s office, the PT will assess the progress of your recovery, and gauge how you have progressed in terms of motion, strength, overall pain in the area, etc.. By evaluating where you are in the recovery process, the physical therapist can recommend appropriate exercises, pain management techniques, or proper rest, to make sure the bone recovers correctly.

Island Sports Physical Therapy can help you recover from your recent bone fracture, every step of the way. From reducing the bone, to getting back to full strength, Island Sports Physical Therapy can help you getting moving again, and feeling your best.