After Fracture Rehabilitation
Fractured bones take weeks to months to heal. Pain usually stops before the bone is solidly healed enough to handle the stresses of normal activities. You will need to wear your cast or splint until your bone is fully healed and can support itself.
During the time in splint or cast, loss of muscle strength in the injured area is likely. Exercises during the healing time and after your cast is removed are extremely important. These help to restore normal joint motion, flexibility and muscle strength in a safe manner while consolidation of fracture occurs. The onus of rehabilitation is with the patient and is directly related to their efforts and time spent.
Therapists advice several exercises for “passive range-of-motion”. Patients can begin to exercise without weights. Once the bone has well healed, they may use weights and resistance therabands.
Dr. Kapil Bakshi (Bakshi Orthopaedics - A Patient Education & Guidance Resource) 