Functioning in Adolescents with Upper Limb Fractures Included in a Rehabilitation Programme

Background In children, upper limb fractures determine important functional consequences both on daily life actives and leisure sports. Material and methods The prospective study included a number of 33 adolescents (aged between 13 and 17 years) with upper limb fractures (humerus, elbow or forearm fractures). The patients were directed to the rehabilitation department after the orthopaedic management of the fractures. They followed a rehabilitation programme consisting in physical exercise (average duration of 60 minutes per session), massage, warm thermotherapy and occupational therapy for 10 daily sessions; these procedures were applied according to the particularities of each case. All patients continued the exercise programme at home for 6-8 weeks. The patients were assessed using the QuickDASH Outcome Measure questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale at the beginning of the rehabilitation, after 1 month and after 3 months. Results The upper limb functioning enhanced significantly after the rehabilitation programme (QuickDASH score: initial- 37.24 +/- 7.52, after 1 month- 28.55 +/- 7.09, after 3 months- 19.88 +/- 6.4, p< 0.0001). The pain complaints diminished considerably. Conclusions In adolescents with upper limb fractures rehabilitation brings important benefits in regaining the normal functioning. The return to sports activities should be also considered in this category of patients.