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Questions and Answers
What are the primary focuses of physical therapy in the early rehabilitation of CRPS?
What are the primary focuses of physical therapy in the early rehabilitation of CRPS?
The primary focuses are pain and edema control, along with mobilizing the upper limb to regain normal range of motion.
How does mirror therapy assist patients recovering from injuries?
How does mirror therapy assist patients recovering from injuries?
Mirror therapy helps by creating a visual feedback of the unaffected hand, which can stimulate movement and reduce pain perception.
What is the purpose of desensitization in physical therapy?
What is the purpose of desensitization in physical therapy?
Desensitization aims to reduce sensitivity by using stimuli of different fabrics, pressures, vibrations, and temperatures.
Describe how a Colles cast is applied.
Describe how a Colles cast is applied.
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What is indicated for the rehabilitation process 7 to 8 weeks post-fracture?
What is indicated for the rehabilitation process 7 to 8 weeks post-fracture?
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In what situation is an open reduction and internal fixation necessary?
In what situation is an open reduction and internal fixation necessary?
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What is the significance of early mobilization after surgical treatment of a wrist fracture?
What is the significance of early mobilization after surgical treatment of a wrist fracture?
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What distinguishes a Smith fracture from a Colles fracture?
What distinguishes a Smith fracture from a Colles fracture?
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What is the primary complication associated with a Colles fracture regarding the radial artery?
What is the primary complication associated with a Colles fracture regarding the radial artery?
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List two early complications of a Colles fracture.
List two early complications of a Colles fracture.
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Describe the term 'malunion' in the context of a Colles fracture.
Describe the term 'malunion' in the context of a Colles fracture.
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What long-term complication can develop due to malunion of a Colles fracture?
What long-term complication can develop due to malunion of a Colles fracture?
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Explain what Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is.
Explain what Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is.
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What role does early intervention play in the treatment of CRPS?
What role does early intervention play in the treatment of CRPS?
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Identify one factor that may lead to the onset of CRPS.
Identify one factor that may lead to the onset of CRPS.
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What are the symptoms of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS)?
What are the symptoms of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS)?
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What is a Monteggia fracture and how does it typically present?
What is a Monteggia fracture and how does it typically present?
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Describe the characteristics of a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation.
Describe the characteristics of a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation.
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What are the key rehabilitation phases for a patient with a both bone forearm fracture?
What are the key rehabilitation phases for a patient with a both bone forearm fracture?
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What causes a Colle's fracture and who is most likely to be affected?
What causes a Colle's fracture and who is most likely to be affected?
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Explain the mechanism of injury commonly associated with Galeazzi fractures.
Explain the mechanism of injury commonly associated with Galeazzi fractures.
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What complications may arise if a Monteggia fracture is not treated surgically?
What complications may arise if a Monteggia fracture is not treated surgically?
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How does the positioning of a Colle's fracture typically appear on physical examination?
How does the positioning of a Colle's fracture typically appear on physical examination?
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What is the recommended approach for edema control during the initial phase of rehabilitation for forearm fractures?
What is the recommended approach for edema control during the initial phase of rehabilitation for forearm fractures?
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Study Notes
Forearm Bone Shaft Fractures
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Monteggia fracture: A fracture of the upper third of the ulna with anterior displacement of the upper ulnar fragment and anterior dislocation of the radius. It's also a proximal ulnar fracture with superior radio-ulnar joint dislocation. Requires ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) to avoid redisplacement.
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Galeazzi fracture-dislocation: A fracture of the distal one-third of the radius with dislocation or subluxation of the inferior radioulnar joint. It is typically caused by rotational forces. Symptoms include swelling in the lower forearm, a prominent ulna head, and ulnar nerve injury. Non-operative treatment may lead to redisplacement, so surgical intervention is often required.
Distal Radial Fractures
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Colles' fracture: A transverse fracture of the distal radius, usually 2 cm proximal to the radiocarpal joint. It's one of the most common fractures affecting primarily older people, especially women due to osteoporosis. It results from a fall on a dorsiflexed (extended) wrist, often causing a "dinner fork" deformity.
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Smith's fracture: Also known as reverse Colles' fracture or a Goyrand fracture. This fracture is the opposite of a Colles' fracture, resulting in anterior (palmar) displacement of the distal radius fragment. The fracture occurs proximally to the wrist joint, resulting in a fall on a flexed wrist. It typically causes a "garden spade" deformity.
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Barton's fracture-dislocation: An intra-articular distal radius fracture with either volar or dorsal displacement. Management typically involves ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation).
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Radial styloid fracture (chauffeur fracture): A fracture to the radial styloid process, often caused by compression from the scaphoid bone. Non-displaced fractures are treated with cast immobilization; displaced fractures require surgical fixation.
Fracture Rehabilitation
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Phase I (weeks 0-2): Focus on protecting surgical incisions, elevating the affected extremity to reduce swelling, and controlling edema. Sutures or staples are removed at week two.
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Phase II (weeks 2-6): Emphasize active and active-assisted range of motion (ROM) exercises for the elbow, forearm, and wrist. Avoid repetitive twisting motions of the forearm.
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Phase III (weeks 6+): Lifting and twisting restrictions are lifted once bone union has occurred. Focus on regaining preoperative mobility and weight-bearing restrictions can also be removed following consultations with the treating surgeon. Work on increasing range of motion and performing strengthening exercises.
Complications
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Early Complications (Colles' fracture): Radial artery injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, extensor pollicis longus injury.
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Late Complications (Colles' fracture): Malunion (poor bone healing), joint stiffness, Volkmann ischemic contracture, osteoarthritis, and Sudeck's osteodystrophy (complex regional pain syndrome).
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Malunion: A Colles' fracture rarely heals without some residual malalignment. The radius often becomes foreshortened, the radial styloid process may be shortened, and the distal end of the radius is commonly angulated and displaced dorsally. This malalignment may lead to permanent losses of wrist flexion and ulnar deviation, and pronation. Radial displacement may also have a minor impact on motion.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
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RSD is a clinical syndrome of variable course and unknown cause characterized by pain, swelling, and vasomotor dysfunction in an extremity.
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The pain is usually disproportionate to the initial injury(surgery, stroke, heart attack).
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Treatment involves early recognition, early intervention with physical therapy, and use of anti-inflammatory agents and nerve blocks.
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Physical therapy for RSD focuses on pain and edema control, active upper limb exercises (with automated passive exercises to improve range of motion). Functional activities are also considered, as well as aquatic therapy, mirror therapy (to improve mirror feedback and desensitize the injury through stimuli), and desensitization techniques (applying varying pressures, stimuli of varying materials, heat or cold therapy).
Treatment of Forearm Fracture
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Undisplaced fracture: Can be treated by cast immobilization, specifically a cast applied to a wrist angled slightly palmarly, with an ulnar deviation, also known as a colles cast.
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Fractures with mild angulation and displacement: Requires closed reduction.
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Fractures with significant angulation and deformity: Requires open reduction and internal fixation or external fixation.
Physical Therapy Guide
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Early focus: Limiting pain and edema in the wrist and hand. Emphasize movement in the shoulder, elbow, and fingers in all rehabilitation phases.
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Mobilizing the Wrist: Mobilization focus can occur 7-8 weeks after fracture. Early mobilization can start a week after surgery if internal fixation is applied.
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Description
Test your knowledge on forearm bone shaft fractures including Monteggia and Galeazzi fractures. This quiz covers their definitions, causes, symptoms, and treatments. Ideal for medical students and professionals looking to refresh their understanding of these common injuries.