Physical Therapy Treatment Following Wrist Fractures

Home
/
Conditions
/
Wrist
/
Physical Therapy Treatment Following Wrist Fractures

Physical Therapy Treatment Following Wrist Fractures

Fractures of the wrist most commonly occur with a fall on an outstretched hand. Wrist fractures can occur during high-level sports such as snowboarding, as well as from falls by patients with compromised bone-density (osteoporosis).

The severity of the fracture will determine if the patient needs surgery or conservative treatment. Once the fracture is healed, physical therapy treatments will focus on the following:

Joint and soft tissue mobilizations to regain range of motion
Strengthening exercises
Other treatments to reduce pain
Gripping exercises
Exercises to improve your ability to bear weight on wrist

Physical Therapy Treatment for Wrist Sprains and Strains

Wrist sprains involve injury to the ligaments of the wrist joint which often occurs due to trauma, such as a fall on an outstretched hand.

Physical Therapy Treatment for Nerve Entrapments at Wrist

Many cases of mild-to-moderate nerve entrapment are successfully treated with physical therapy. Your physical therapist will determine the activities that bring on your symptoms and may recommend to avoid those activities for a period of time.

Nerve Entrapments in Wrist

Nerve entrapment occurs when a nerve is compressed by surrounding joints, muscles or tendons and results in injury or irritation to the nerve. Two common nerve entrapments affecting the wrist are ulnar nerve entrapment (Guyon’s Canal Syndrome) and median nerve entrapment (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).