How Physical Therapy Can Help with Fractures

Understanding Fractures
A fracture is a break in a bone that can occur due to injury, trauma, or conditions like osteoporosis. Fractures can vary in severity and type, including simple fractures, where the bone breaks but doesn’t puncture the skin, and complex fractures, which involve multiple pieces or break the skin. Symptoms typically include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected area.

The Role of Physical Therapy in Fracture Recovery
Physical therapy (PT) plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation process following a fracture. Here’s how PT can assist in your recovery:

1. Clearance for Physical Therapy
Before starting physical therapy, it’s crucial to ensure that your fracture has healed adequately. Have your physician evaluate your recovery and they often will perform imaging tests to confirm proper healing. Once cleared, a physical therapist will design a rehabilitation program tailored to your needs, helping you regain strength and function safely.

2. Pain Management
Physical therapists employ various techniques to manage pain and discomfort associated with fractures, such as ice and compression therapy. Applying ice and compression can help reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. 

3. Restoration of Range of Motion
After a fracture, stiffness and limited movement are common. A physical therapist will design a personalized program that includes gentle stretching and mobility exercises to restore your range of motion and improve joint function.

4. Strengthening Exercises
As healing progresses, it’s important to rebuild strength in the muscles surrounding the affected bone. Physical therapists guide you through targeted strengthening exercises, which help support the bone and improve overall stability.

5. Balance and Coordination Training
Fractures can affect balance and coordination, increasing the risk of future injuries. Physical therapists incorporate balance exercises into your rehabilitation program to enhance stability and confidence in your movements.

6. Education and Injury Prevention
Understanding how to avoid re-injury is essential. Your physical therapist will provide education on proper body mechanics, safe movement strategies, and techniques to modify daily activities, helping you prevent future fractures.

7. Personalized Treatment Plans
Every fracture is unique, and recovery can vary from person to person. Physical therapists create customized treatment plans based on your specific injury, activity level, and recovery goals, ensuring a focused approach to your rehabilitation.

Your Physical Therapy Journey

1. Initial Assessment
Your first visit will involve a comprehensive evaluation of your shoulder and overall physical condition. The therapist will assess your pain levels, range of motion, strength, and functional abilities.

2. Customized Treatment Plan
Based on the assessment, a personalized treatment plan will be created. This plan may include a combination of exercises, manual therapy, and other modalities tailored to your specific needs.

3. Ongoing Support
Regular follow-up sessions will monitor your progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary. Your therapist will also provide you with home exercises to continue your recovery outside of the clinic.

4. Rehabilitation and Return to Activity
As you improve, the focus will shift to functional rehabilitation and gradually returning to your usual activities. The goal is to help you resume normal activities without pain and prevent future episodes of impingement.

5. Independence in Maintaining Gains
By the end of your care, you will have learned a routine specific to improving and preventing your condition from returning. It is very important to continue your home exercise program consistently in order to maintain gains and prevent return of pain and symptoms.

Recovering from a fracture can be a challenging journey, but with the right physical therapy intervention, you can manage pain, regain strength, and restore function. If you’ve suffered a fracture, reach out to Dynamic Physical Therapy today to start your path to recovery!

44651 Village Court Suite 120 Palm Desert, CA 92260​

760-501-6655

Dynamic Physical Therapy : an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic. 

​Serving the Coachella Valley and cities of Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Bermuda Dunes, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, and Indio.