The break of the bony tissue under the influence of internal or external forces or impairment of anatomic integrity and continuity of the bone is called “fracture”. Fracture is not only the impairment of the integrity of the bone. The force breaking the bone does not only break the bone; skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves surrounding the bone or neighboring organs can also be injured. Such injuries must be treated urgently with orthopedic surgical interventions. Immobilization of the fracture site with plaster both after surgical treatment or in simple fractures is required for healing of the fractures. The period required for union can change between a few weeks to a few months. Immobilization will have adverse effects on both the bone and the muscular tissue. This condition known as the “bone thinning and muscular atrophy” is the wastage of bony and muscular tissues in relation with nonuse. Furthermore, soft tissue will start to lose their flexibility because of immobility, and limitation of movement will develop in joints within a few weeks.
Lysis in bones and muscles in relation with immobilization and limitation of joint movements will result in severe functional losses. A qualified Physical Therapy Rehabilitation program is a must to return these functions to normal.
Rehabilitation is applied by physiotherapists. Applications are as follows in general, although they change from patient to patient;
- Rehabilitation of the wastage in bones and muscles: Magnetic Field applications have enhancing effects on cellular renewal and blood circulation. It particularly has enhancing effects on new bone formation. It is used successfully in accelerating the union of fractures in addition to the treatment of osteolysis related to immobilization. Wasted muscles are passively strengthened through electrical stimulations. Performance of the exercises by the patient shown by the physiotherapist will provide active strengthening. Patients’ able to walk within the shortest period possible or using their arms in their activities is important as regards the therapy.
- Increasing the range of motion: If there is limitation of movement in the fracture site, range of motion must be increased for the joint to perform its normal functions. Ultrasonic sound waves providing heating in deep tissues and increasing the flexibility or shorty wave is used with this purpose. Afterwards, stretching exercises up to the limit of pain are applied by the physiotherapist. Level of stretching will be adjusted by the physiotherapist based on the status of tissues and patient’s tolerance. Active and passive strengthening exercises are performed together with stretching exercises.