Distal Radial Fractures

[SankeT.]

Anyone dealt with these before? It's closed and fairly minor. The client doesn't have a cast.

 

[?My HeAD Is IN De ClOuDS?]

Had one once - hurt like the devil!!! Work the fingers and hand carefully then above the wrist and on up the arm to help facilitate reduction of swelling. Be careful to not move the wrist, or, ask the client to have the wrist wrapped lightly w/ an ace bandage like a sprained wrist to help support it during the massage [my choice at the time]......

Is there any particular reason it hasn't been cast?

 

[asian-hater >=)]

She currently has a sling and is going back to see a doctor in a few days to see about a cast. It sounds like the first doctor thought it was a very minor facture. She wants a cast though, because she would feel safer with one during the healing process and she has had broken bones before that didn't heal properly.

 

[BettaFan]

You have to wait 6-8 weeks until the fracture has healed after the orthopedist has sent approval.

 

[Muttlove]

When you say "dealt with" -- is she asking you for massage in that area right now? I'm not sure what the question is (what else is new!) :

 

[Jules]

I was just looking for feedback on how other therapists have approched the condition.

The client called me wondering if massage could help her about 24 hours after the injury. I told her she should wait at least 48 hours before considering it.

 

[Tressa Marie]

The orthopedist I work with here has told me that, GIVEN GREAT CARE, one can receive massage w/in 24 hours of a fracture provided the following are observed:

1] The frx is at least splinted, if not already cast
2] The lmt works as far away from the frx as possible so as not to "move" the frx but still close enough to it to do some good - wrist frx, massage fingers/fingertips and mid-forearm into the armpit itself to encourage blood and lymphatic flow to go through the frx not around it,
3] NO VIGOROUS WORK, just light stroking to encourage decrease in swelling


Other physicians may have different protocols. Have done this type of massage for myself when I have fractured bones, within an hour of having damaged the bones. To date, nothing ill has come from doing so.