Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.
2
Assistant Lecturer of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhur University, Egypt.
3
Professor of Orthopedic and Traumatology Orthopedic and Traumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
4
Assistant Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.
Abstract
Background: therapeutic exercises post DRFs surgeries are shown to be very important in preventing complications and deformities. The orthopedic nurses’ role post DRFs surgeries includes physical assessment, pain management, and patients’ education on the safe compensatory strategies for enhancing hand functional abilities. Aim: Compare the effect of activation of shoulder girdle muscles exercises versus hand on wrist joint mechanics of patients post intraarticular distal radius fracture surgeries. Design: A comparative quasi experimental research design. Setting: This study was carried out at the Hadara Orthopedic and Traumatology University Hospital, Alexandria. Subjects: A convenience sample of 50 adult patients with intraarticular DRF, who were scheduled for surgeries. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection; Tool I: Wrist Functional Abilities Index; Interview Schedule. Tool II: Mobility Index of the Wrist joint. Tool III: Complications of Intraarticular Distal Radius Fracture Checklist. Results: The results showed that there was a highly significantly more improvement in the total patient rated wrist evaluation and range of motion mean score at 6th and 8th week post exercises performance in the study group (I) than the study group (II) (P=0.001*). Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference between patients of both studied groups’ hand grip strength in the 6th and 8th week post exercises (P=0.043, P=0.013; respectively). With regard to total complications and wrist joint plain x ray results scores in the 6th week and 3 months’ post exercises a statistically significant difference between group I and II were noted (P=0.047, P=0.043; and P=0.034, P=0.049 respectively). Conclusion: Therapeutic shoulder girdle muscles, elbow and hand exercises practices following intraarticular DRFs surgeries have been shown to improve wrist joint functional abilities, range of motion and muscle strength more than hand exercises only. Recommendation: It is recommended that health team members namely, surgeons, nurses, and physical therapists consider incorporating active shoulder girdle exercises into DRFs’ the treatment program.
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