After a Colles fracture, which motion combination should be progressed as healing allows?

Study for the NBCOT Hand Injuries and Intervention Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Multiple Choice

After a Colles fracture, which motion combination should be progressed as healing allows?

After a Colles fracture, the goal is to restore motion in the joints most affected by the injury while protecting the healing structures. Progressing wrist flexion and extension together with forearm rotation (pronation and supination) as healing allows targets the wrist and forearm motions that are essential for most daily tasks and function. Gaining ROM in these planes helps prevent stiffness and lays the foundation for later strengthening. Starting with grip strength before ROM can delay reclaiming usable motion, and focusing only on elbow motion or just finger abduction doesn’t restore the crucial wrist/forearm range needed for practical activities.

After a Colles fracture, the goal is to restore motion in the joints most affected by the injury while protecting the healing structures. Progressing wrist flexion and extension together with forearm rotation (pronation and supination) as healing allows targets the wrist and forearm motions that are essential for most daily tasks and function. Gaining ROM in these planes helps prevent stiffness and lays the foundation for later strengthening. Starting with grip strength before ROM can delay reclaiming usable motion, and focusing only on elbow motion or just finger abduction doesn’t restore the crucial wrist/forearm range needed for practical activities.

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