Functional exercise 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 has not kept up. Therefore, it is important to understand the functional exercise after fracture surgery. Functional exercise during the period of fracture inflammation subsidence.  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.  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 their external fixation removed, the fracture ends are partially fibrously connected and gradually form scabs, and the fracture site becomes more stable. In addition to 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 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 for climbing and standing, 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.  The main form of functional exercise is to strengthen the active movement of the joints of the affected limb, so that the 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.