A fractured wrist can occur from falling onto an outstretched hand or other trauma to the wrist. Treatment generally involves casting the wrist and sometimes includes surgery to help repair the bones. The casting phase normally lasts six weeks but can last longer. Physical therapy for wrist fractures includes exercises that address flexibility and those that restrengthen the muscles in the wrist. Addressing both of these factors will allow for optimal recovery of wrist function following surgery; however, you should consult your doctor to get specific instructions, because each person's recovery time line varies.
Wrist Flexion
Wrist flexion therapy works on restoring range of motion and strength associated with flexion of the wrist. Flexion of the wrist is defined as the movement or rotation of the hand toward the body. To stretch the wrist flexors, elevate your arm to shoulder level and turn your arm so that your palm faces up. Grab your fingers with your other hand and gently pull your hand downward.To strengthen your wrist flexors simply grab a dumbbell and rotate or flex at the wrist. This can and should be done with your arm in different positions to strengthen these muscles at different angles.
Wrist Extensors
Wrist extension therapy tries to improve your ability to extend at your wrist. Wrist extension is rotation of the wrist away from the body. To stretch your wrist extensors, push down on the top of your hand and fingertips until you feel the stretch on top your forearm.To strengthen your wrist extensors, grab dumbbells and practice rotating your wrist upward. Again, use different arm positions to help these muscles acclimate to the challenge at different angles.
Wrist Rotation
Wrist rotation is another important movement of the wrist that needs to addressed. Casting severely limits almost all wrist rotation and will adversely affect your ability to rotate your wrists. To stretch, use your other hand and gently rotate your wrist to the left until you feel a gentle stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and then rotate it to the right until you feel a stretch and hold for another 30 seconds. To strengthen these muscles, use manual resistance with your non-affected hand by trying to prevent your recovering wrist from rotating to the left and to the right. Make sure you allow some movement, but make it challenging.
Soft Ball Squeeze
Your ability to hold objects is also reduced after an extended period of casting, because the hand is normally left in a semi-opened position. You can strengthen your hand and finger flexors by grabbing a semi-pliable or squishy ball and squeezing it tightly and then relaxing it. You should continually squeeze and relax for 30 seconds before taking a break. This movement will also help increase the blood flow to your wrists. This is important in allowing nutrients to shuttle into the bones and muscles of your recovering wrist.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Broken Wrist/Broken Hand - Definition; July 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Broken Wrist/Broken Hand - Treatment and Drugs; July 2011
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Distal Radius Fracture
- American Council on Exercise: Dumbbell Wrist Curl Flexion
- American Council on Exercise: Dumbbell Wrist Curl Extension
- American Council on Exercise: Dumbbell Wrist Curl - Supination / Pronation
