How to exercise functionally after fracture surgery

       It is often the case in the clinic that the same fracture, the same surgeon does the surgery, but the recovery results are very different. One of the important reasons is that the functional exercise after fracture surgery is not kept up. Functional exercise plays an important role in postoperative recovery. It is often divided into the following stages of exercise, and it is advisable for children with fractures to be carried out under parental supervision and guidance. The purpose of functional exercise is to promote blood circulation, make the swelling subside as soon as possible, and prevent muscle atrophy and joint adhesions. The main form of functional exercise in this period is to make the affected muscles stretch and contract. Patients with upper limb fractures can make fist clenching and shoulder lifting activities, making the whole upper limb muscles exert force when making fist clenching and then relaxing, and using the other hand to hold the forearm of the affected limb for shoulder joint circumduction activities. Patients with lower extremity fractures can contract the quadriceps muscles to make the whole lower extremity muscles exert and then relax, but not necessarily flex the knee joint. Patients with ankle fractures can do some toe dorsiflexion.       Stage 2: Functional exercise during the scab formation period The swelling of the affected limb subsides, the local pain gradually disappears, the soft tissue injury is gradually repaired, some patients have removed the external fixation, some of the fracture ends are connected with fibers and gradually form scabs, and the fracture site becomes more and more stable. In addition to continuing the muscle stretching and contraction activities of the affected limb, the functional exercises of the joints near the fracture can be carried out gradually under the guidance of the doctor; in addition to fist clenching and shoulder joint movements, patients with upper limb fractures can also carry out some active joint extension and flexion activities, such as wrist and elbow joints, and the extension and flexion, abduction and adduction of the whole upper limb, starting with simple movements and gradually increasing, with gentle and slow movements. As the fracture heals, the number of activities can be increased appropriately. Patients with lower extremity fractures can perform leg lifting and hip extension and flexion activities, and can combine the upper and lower extremities to climb and stand, and gradually start light weight-bearing activities. After the 4th week, patients with femur fracture of lower extremity can support the bed with both hands, do hip lifting, hip extension and knee flexion. After 4-6 weeks, the patient can get up and move around with the help of crutches according to medical advice, but cannot bear weight.       Stage 3: Functional exercise during the scab maturation period At this time, the soft tissues of the affected area have returned to normal, the muscles are strong, there is enough scab, the external fixation has generally been removed, and the fracture is generally close to clinical healing, except for a certain aspect of joint activity that is not conducive to fracture healing still needs to be restricted, other activities can be carried out, and the number and range of activities can be expanded.       Phase IV: Clinical healing functional exercise During this period, the fracture has reached clinical healing and the main form of functional exercise is to strengthen the active movement of the joints of the affected limb so that the common joints can quickly resume normal activities. Patients with upper limb fracture can do some light work within their ability. Patients with lower extremity fractures can walk up and down slopes and stairs, and do some weight-bearing activities under the protection of crutches or canes.