Joachim Gülke1, Barbara Leopold2, Daniel Grözinger3, Björn Drews3, Stephan Paschke4, Nikolaus J Wachter5. 1. Klinik für Unfall-, Hand-, Plastische und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Ulm, Germany. Electronic address: joachim.guelke@uniklinik-ulm.de. 2. Ulmkolleg, Lehr- und Weiterbildungsinstitute für Physiotherapie, Massage und Podologie, GmbH & Co. KG, Ulm, Germany. 3. Klinik für Unfall-, Hand-, Plastische und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Ulm, Germany. 4. Klinik für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Ulm, Germany. 5. Klinik für Hand-, Plastische und Mikrochirurgie, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort randomized controlled trial. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Is either a home exercise (HE) program or traditional physical therapy (PT) more effective in the postoperative management of metacarpal fractures? METHODS:Sixty patients suffering from nonthumb metacarpal fractures who received mobilization-stable open reduction and internal fixation were included. All patients were prospectively randomized into either the PT group or the HE group. Follow-up examinations at 2, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: After 2 weeks, the range of motion (ROM) in both groups was still severely reduced. Twelve weeks after surgery the ROM improved to 245° (PT) and 256° (HE). Grip strength after 6 weeks was 68% (PT) and 71% (HE) when compared to the non-injured hand, improving to 91% (PT) and 93% (HE) after 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Study results show that both HE program and traditional PT are effective in the postoperative management of metacarpal fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.
RCT Entities:
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort randomized controlled trial. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Is either a home exercise (HE) program or traditional physical therapy (PT) more effective in the postoperative management of metacarpal fractures? METHODS: Sixty patients suffering from nonthumb metacarpal fractures who received mobilization-stable open reduction and internal fixation were included. All patients were prospectively randomized into either the PT group or the HE group. Follow-up examinations at 2, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: After 2 weeks, the range of motion (ROM) in both groups was still severely reduced. Twelve weeks after surgery the ROM improved to 245° (PT) and 256° (HE). Grip strength after 6 weeks was 68% (PT) and 71% (HE) when compared to the non-injured hand, improving to 91% (PT) and 93% (HE) after 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Study results show that both HE program and traditional PT are effective in the postoperative management of metacarpal fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.