What is the typical OT role after a distal radius fracture?

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!

After a distal radius fracture, the Occupational Therapist’s role is to restore wrist and hand function while protecting the healing bone. This means promoting range of motion, building strength, and preventing stiffness as healing allows.therapy typically begins with protected, gentle ROM of the wrist and forearm (flexion, extension, pronation, supination), edema management, and tendon gliding to keep tissues sliding smoothly. As healing progresses and per clinician guidance, loading is gradually introduced to rebuild grip and pinch strength and functional use of the hand. A big part of the work is retraining for daily activities and adapting splints or equipment to support safe movement. This approach aims to prevent contractures and stiffness and get you back to everyday tasks, rather than keeping the limb immobilized for the entire healing period or focusing only on cosmetic outcomes.