Distal radial fractures

Summary

Rehabilitation with therapy (either physiotherapy or occupational therapy) after uncomplicated fractures of the distal radius does not appear to confer significant additional benefit over instruction and home-based exercises. Results from four small randomized controlled trials show that home exercises provide adequate rehabilitation, and that routine referral for a course of therapy may not be necessary. However, it is unknown whether therapy confers any additional benefit over home-based exercises among patients at high risk of a poor outcome after distal radius fractures. Larger studies using validated measures may provide more definitive evidence.