Rehabilitation After Distal Radius Fracture in Older Patients: A Practical Narrative Review for Clinicians
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2026.93.72704Keywords
bone fracture, distal radius fracture, Rehabilitation, geriatric patients, wrist injury, Orthopedics, PhysiotherapyAbstract
BackgroundDistal radius fractures are common injuries in older patients and may temporarily reduce independence and hand function. Rehabilitation is usually included after both conservative and surgical treatment, although rehabilitation strategies remain variable in clinical practice.
AimThe aim of this narrative review was to summarize practical aspects of rehabilitation after distal radius fracture in elderly patients.
Material and MethodsLiterature indexed in PubMed, PEDro, and the Cochrane Library was reviewed in a non-systematic manner using clinically relevant orthopedic and rehabilitation publications related to wrist fracture recovery, physiotherapy, and geriatric rehabilitation.
ResultsThe literature supports gradual rehabilitation adapted to tolerance, frailty, baseline function, and ability to follow instructions. In uncomplicated fractures, a clear home program often restores useful hand function. Supervised physiotherapy is most valuable when stiffness, weakness, edema, pain, frailty-related limitation, or poor adherence delays recovery.
ConclusionsRecovery after distal radius fracture requires a plan built around practical hand use, independence, and patient tolerance rather than a generic protocol.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Patryk Jakubiak, Katarzyna Jolanta Kuc, Katarzyna Zegadło, Maciej Dobrucki, Krzysztof Brzezicki, Mateusz Cieciora, Małgorzata Kawiorska, Julia Surowiec, Aleksandra Cieciora, Wiktoria Ruta Bełcikowska-Skowron
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