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Therapy and Assessment Following Wrist Fracture

Presented by Kristin Valdes

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Distal radius fractures are a commonly seen diagnosis and account for 14% of all fractures. Women over the age of 65 who fracture their wrist are approximately 50% more likely to experience a clinically important functional decline compared to women without a wrist fracture. This course will provide the rehabilitation professional with an understanding of the complex anatomical relationships that exist in the wrist. The participant will also gain understanding regarding the predictors that may contribute to poor outcomes. Join Dr. Kristin Valdes as she explains how to appropriately provide therapy and assessment following wrist fracture with consideration for the anatomy and current evidence. Through expressive motion graphics, detailed supplementary materials, and a thorough, engaging lecture, this course prepares the participant to approach therapy and assessment through evidence-based strategies.

Meet your instructor

Kristin Valdes

Kristin Valdes was previously the owner of Hand Works Therapy in Sarasota, Florida, and was in private practice for more than 30 years. Currently, she is a full professor at Touro University in Henderson, Nevada. Her clinical expertise includes treatment of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder; splinting; and arthritis. Dr.…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Anatomy of a Distal Radius Fracture

1. Anatomy of a Distal Radius Fracture

The length relationship between the radius and ulna must be preserved to prevent joint deformity and future wrist pain. With this in mind, it is essential to understand how the anatomy may be impacted by therapy following wrist fracture. This chapter explores the anatomy at the site of a distal radius fracture with the aim to maintain this essential length relationship between the radius and the ulna during therapy.

Summary of Current Evidence of Rehabilitation

2. Summary of Current Evidence of Rehabilitation

It has been reported that there is insufficient evidence to determine the most effective interventions for acceptable functional recovery following distal radius fractures. As such, Dr. Kristin Valdes provides a summary of the current evidence, findings from a systematic review, and randomized controlled trials that may help determine what patients need skilled intervention following distal radius fracture.

Evaluation and Assessment Following Distal Radius Fracture

3. Evaluation and Assessment Following Distal Radius Fracture

Comprehensive assessment of the hand and wrist can include a number of evaluation strategies including joint position sense, sensory discrimination tests, wrist, forearm, and digit range of motion, edema, and patient report outcome measure. It is important to be able to quantify deficits to measure the success of the interventions as well as perform the tests in a time efficient manner. Watch Dr. Valdes perform many of these evaluations and assessments in the interactive demonstration at the end of this chapter.