Short-wave diathermy as adjunctive treatment in the rehabilitation management of wrist fractures: a retrospective case-control study

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fracture is a common wrist injury that may lead to upper limb disability. Some rehabilitative protocols based on physical therapy and adjunctive modalities have been proposed to manage this condition. Even if short-wave diathermy is an effective adjunctive physical modality for orthopedic disability, to date no previous study dealt with its use on patients with wrist fractures. So, the aim of this preliminary case-control study was to evaluate the role of short-wave diathermy as adjunctive treatment for the rehabilitation of distal radius fracture. METHODS: We retrospectively included 30 adults with distal radius fractures who received orthopedic treatment. All participants underwent twelve, 60-minute treatment sessions, 3 days/week for 4 consecutive weeks. Case group received short-wave diathermy, conventional arm training and occupational therapy. Control group performed conventional arm training and occupational therapy. All patients were evaluated before, immediately after treatment and at 4 weeks of follow-up. Primary outcomes were the Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation and swelling (circumferential tape measure). RESULTS: The Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation showed a significant difference between groups at the follow-up (P=0.036). As to swelling, significant differences between groups were found after treatment as to the wrist (P=0.002) and distal arm (P=0.008) circumferences, as well as significant differences between groups were found at the follow-up as to the wrist (P=0.003), mid (P=0.040) and proximal (P=0.021) forearm, proximal (P=0.027) and distal (P=0.013) arm circumferences. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the hypothesis that short-wave diathermy might be a useful adjunctive treatment for the rehabilitation of patients with distal radius fracture.