After a fracture of one of the bones around the finger and thumb, a period of immobilisation is required usually for 4-6 weeks.
What Is Immobilisation?
Immobilisation can be as simple as using strapping tape to tape one finger to the next regularly for a few weeks, or as complex as requiring multiple rounds of surgery to insert and then remove the pins and plates.
This will depend on the type and the location of the fracture, and if there were any other structures injured. A period of immobilisation is required to allow the two or more fractured ends of the bone to knit back together.
What Are Our Joints Like Following A Period Of Immobilisation?
Following a period of immobilisation it is normal for the joints of the fingers and hand to be stiff or immobile. When the cast/brace/pin/tape is removed and the fracture has healed the next step is to restore normal movement to the injured area. Restoring movement may involve mobilisation of the joints, stretching and movement exercises.
Another side effect of the casting and bracing of a fracture is muscle atrophy. Because the hand /finger has not been used or moved for a period of weeks, it is normal for the muscles that move that area to have lost strength (atrophy), and adjacent joints to be stiff and sometimes sore. Your Physiotherapist will show you special exercises to regain normal function – both to reverse stiffness in the joints and to regain pre-injury strength and mobility in the connective tissues and muscles.
Often particular massage and joint mobilisation techniques are used in addition to exercises to move this process along to aid recovery as quickly as possible.
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This blog was written by Harry Collett Physio from the City East practice.