COMPARISON OF POSTOPERATIVE REHABILITATION OUTCOMES FOLLOWING DISTAL FOREARM FRACTURES BASED ON ANATOMICAL INVOLVEMENT: OBSERVATIONAL COHORT STUDY

Abstract

This observational cohort study evaluated early postoperative rehabilitation outcomes following ORIF (Open Reduction Internal Fixation) of distal forearm fractures, mainly comparing distal radius and distal ulna injuries. Adult patients underwent four different types of rehabilitation protocols during an 8-week period post-surgically, resulting in the formation of four distinct subgroups that reflected different approaches in early rehabilitation management. Functional outcomes were assessed using active wrist range of motion arc (flexion + extension), grip strength and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand - DASH scores, which provided a standardized evaluation of upper limb function and patient-reported disability. The observed results were compared within each of the four subgroups with the aim to assess the impact of injury of the involved anatomical structure (radius or ulna) on the outcome measures across the abovementioned, different rehabilitation approaches. No statistically significant differences were seen between the two main fracture types across all four subgroups. These findings indicate that short-term functional recovery is largely independent of the specific distal forearm bone involved.