A patient sustained a Colle's fracture 8 weeks ago and has been in a cast since that time. Immediately after cast removal, the physical therapy intervention for the wrist and hand should MOST appropriately include:

A patient sustained a Colle's fracture 8 weeks ago and has been in a cast since that time. Immediately after cast removal, the physical therapy intervention for the wrist and hand should MOST appropriately include:

• A. passive and active assistive ROM exercises
• B. progressive resistive exercises
• C. grade 4 mobilization techniques
• D. return to pre-fracture level of activity

Answer: (A)

Restoring motion after immobilization is the first priority. Eight weeks after a Colles fracture, the wrist benefits most from gentle, early mobilization to regain joint mobility while protecting healing tissues. Passive and active-assisted ROM allows the wrist and hand to regain flexibility, promote tendon glide, reduce stiffness, and prevent adhesions without applying excessive stress to the healing fracture. Pushing into resistance too soon can risk disrupting healing, and high-grade mobilizations are not appropriate in this early stage because they place end-range stress on structures that are still recovering. Expect a gradual progression from assisted movement to stronger strengthening only after ROM is sufficiently restored and healing is confirmed; a full return to pre-fracture activity is not immediate.

Restoring motion after immobilization is the first priority. Eight weeks after a Colles fracture, the wrist benefits most from gentle, early mobilization to regain joint mobility while protecting healing tissues. Passive and active-assisted ROM allows the wrist and hand to regain flexibility, promote tendon glide, reduce stiffness, and prevent adhesions without applying excessive stress to the healing fracture. Pushing into resistance too soon can risk disrupting healing, and high-grade mobilizations are not appropriate in this early stage because they place end-range stress on structures that are still recovering. Expect a gradual progression from assisted movement to stronger strengthening only after ROM is sufficiently restored and healing is confirmed; a full return to pre-fracture activity is not immediate.