When to Consider Physical Therapy After a Fracture

Physical therapists (PTs) don’t just treat athletes or help celebrities get into condition for their latest Marvel movie role. They also help people recover mobility, flexibility, and strength after an injury.

If you fractured a bone, you might not be thinking of PT. All you want to do is get from Point A to Point B on your crutches and then ditch those crutches at the first chance.  

At Advanced Medical Care, our physical therapists work with you to get to Point B stronger and faster, whether you broke a foot, leg, arm, or any other bone. Here’s when you should consider PT after a fracture. 

You have osteoporosis

If you’ve suffered what’s called a “fragility fracture” due to osteoporosis, PT can help you prevent another one. When your bones are weakened by lack of minerals and mass, they’re more susceptible to breakage. You may even have a type of fragility fracture called compression fractures, which occur in your spine and eventually collapse your vertebrae so you lose height.

After a fracture, particularly if it’s in your hip or spine, you may be reluctant to exercise for fear of injuring yourself again. A PT designs an exercise program that accommodates your current state of fitness as well as your fears to gradually make your muscles, tendons, and ligaments stronger and more resilient.

A PT works on strength, flexibility, and balance to help you recover and stay fracture-free. 

You need help with mobility

If you’ve broken a foot, leg, or hip, you won’t be able to get around on your own two feet for quite some time. A PT helps you adjust to your new, temporary situation by teaching you skills such as:

• How to use crutches, canes, or walkers
• How to get in and out of cars
• How to get out of bed safely
• How to walk up and down the stairs

If you broke your arm, your PT can show you the best way to keep it in a sling. Putting on and taking off a sling one-handed can be a challenge, so your PT comes in handy.

You need to make adjustments at home

A fracture makes it difficult for you to perform your daily tasks safely. Your PT can make recommendations for changing the furniture around your home so you can get around better, including taking up throw rugs that could become a tripping hazard. They may also recommend tools that help you compensate for your present immobility, such as a grabbing tool.

You want to recover faster

When a limb is immobilized due to a fracture, the muscle that’s attached to the bone tends to atrophy. You might lose more bone mass. Physical therapy gives the injured tissues that support your fractured bone a chance to heal and stay strong. 

While respecting your need to keep weight off of the healing fracture, your PT gives you exercises that gradually increase the strength and flexibility of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are attached to the bone. 

In addition, your PT may prescribe supportive therapies that help your fracture heal and also avoid muscle atrophy due to immobilization. These therapies aim to increase the circulation around the fracture, which also helps to keep supporting tissue strong.

Depending on your needs, your therapist may prescribe:

• Acupuncture
• Light therapy
• Cold laser therapy
• Electrical stimulation
• Manual traction and joint mobilization
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Massage

With the aid of your physical therapist, your fracture should heal by about eight weeks. 

Have you suffered a fracture? Find out how physical therapy that’s personalized to you can help you heal faster and more safely. Reach out to our knowledgeable staff at Advanced Medical Care today.