Physiotherapy

Biography

Biography: Mehreen Ashfaq

Abstract

BACKGROUND:          

RTAs are the most common cause of deaths in the world. And in RTAs fracture of long bones are the most common. Management of fracture is different depending on the type of fracture and age of the patient. Post operative rehabilitation protocols used after the operation varies in different hospitals. Few hospitals and consultants don’t emphasize on the post operative rehabilitation of the patients, which leads to different complications including knee stiffness, decreased strength, abnormal gait and pain in the operated limb. Rehabilitation protocols after the operation if used correctly makes the life of patient very stress-free in his ADLs. This study has served its purpose to inform and guide the physiotherapist, doctors and students that not only Post Operative Rehabilitation exercises are important for patients, they are a must for them.

OBJECTIVE:To see the effects of early knee bending particularly in improving the ROM, Pain and quadriceps muscle strength compared with patients who will not be given knee bending after the operation                     

METHODOLOGY:                                                                                         

A cross sectional survey was conducted. Data was collected from physical therapy department of the Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital which is 650 bedded hospitals. Male Orthopedic ward was the main data collection ward. 36 Patients were observed in the study which non probability sampling technique, dividing pats studying in different universities offering physical therapy in Lahore. Non probability sampling technique was used dividing patients in two groups, one group having 18 patients. Range of Motion at knee was measured by Goniometer, to measure the pain level; pain level (1-10) scale was used. Manual muscle testing was performed to assess the muscle strength of Quadriceps.

RESULTS:

72 patients were studied under two groups equally divided. One group was given the rehabilitation protocol while the other wasn’t. Results shown that there was significant improvement in range of motion at knee, affected side was with less pain also. 70% shown more than 90 degree range of motion at knee. While 80% of the patients shown bad results who were not given the exercises regime. It was concluded that early range of motion exercises in interlocking nail fixation proved to be very useful for patients and for physiotherapist as well. Patients who have been given post operative exercises have shown marked sign of improvement in gaining range of motion at knee, strength of quadriceps and decreasing pain level. Range of motion was main segment studied in this research which later on was creating various problems for the patients if knee got stiffed. And patients who were not given the treatment were observed with unimproved range of motion at knee, unsettled pain in affected lower extremity and poor muscle strength of the quadriceps.                                                                     

CONCLUSION:                                                              

It was concluded that early range of motion exercises in interlocking nail fixation proved to be very useful for patients and for physiotherapist as well. Patients who have been given post operative exercises have shown marked sign of improvement in gaining range of motion at knee, strength of quadriceps and decreasing pain level. Range of motion was main segment studied in this research which later on was creating various problems for the patients if knee got stiffed.

KEY WORDS:                                                                

Interlocking Nail, Fracture, Range of Motion, Pain, Stiff Knee, Rehablitation, Operation, Quadrecips