Mobilization With Movement in Distal Radial Fractures

Ahi Evran University Education and Research Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Mobility Limitation; Acute Pain; Pain

Treatments: Other: Mulligan mobilisation; Other: TENS, exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05976724

12068451744

Details and patient eligibility

About

Distal radius fractures (DRF) are the most common upper extremity disorders encountered in clinical practice. With an understanding of the mechanics of distal radius fractures, surgical intervention, and bone healing, the therapist can modify the therapy program according to the patient's individual needs. The therapeutic process is begun in the crucial stage of bone healing during fracture immobilization. By addressing edema reduction and early range of motion of the uninvolved joints, most problems can be avoided before cast or fixator removal. Rehabilitation following the immobilization period should focus on regaining wrist movements provided that earlier problems have been addressed properly. During the rehabilitative process, the therapist can incorporate scar management, modalities, joint mobilization, active and passive range of motion, splinting, and strengthening to maximize the patient's functional result.

Massage and mobilization techniques are used in the treatment of DRF due to their analgesic effects. The painless mobilization with movement technique (MWM, developed by Brian Mulligan) is a manual therapy method applies to correct the limitation of movement in the joint and to relieve pain and functional disorders. Many studies have shown that MWM technique provides faster and momentary painless joint movement compared to other physical therapy modalities. The patient group with DRF has a large place in the general population and long treatment processes cause both labour loss and economic loss. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of MWM technique in cases with distal radius fractures.

Full description

In this study, 42 DRF patients with age range 18-65 who applied to Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Training and Research Hospital were examined. The individuals included in the study were divided into two groups according to the paired randomization method. These groups were control and intervention groups. Traditional physiotherapy methods were applied to the control group, traditional physiotherapy and MWM techniques were applied to the intervention group. Traditional physiotherapy methods were included; Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), stretching and strengthening exercises.

For the evaluation of patients; Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), wrist goniometric measurements, grip strength measurement, pinch strength measurement, edema measurement and Munich Wrist Questionnaire (MWQ) were used.

Enrollment: 53 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with distal radius fracture

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with polytrauma,
• open fracture,
• ulnar head fracture (excluding ulnar styloid fracture),
• history of complex regional pain syndrome,
• limited cognitive capacity were excluded

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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53 participants in 2 patient groups

Mobilization with movement

Experimental group

Description:

Mobilization with movement technique and traditional physiotherapy will be applied to the intervention group. Also patients will receive a traditional therapy program consisting of Conventional TENS and stretching and strengthening exercises.

Treatment:

Other: TENS, exercise

Other: Mulligan mobilisation

Control group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients will receive a traditional therapy program consisting of Conventional TENS and stretching and strengthening exercises.

Treatment:

Other: TENS, exercise