Effect of physiotherapy in people with distal radius fractures: A systematic review

Introduction: Distal radius fracture (DRF) is very common and affects all age groups. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the best available evidence to determine the effect of physiotherapeutic interventions on pain, range of motion, muscle strength and function in people with distal radius fracture. Materials and methods: A systematic search of controlled clinical trials was carried out in the Science Direct, PubMed, Medline, lilacs and EMBASE databases. Results: 14 studies met the selection criteria. Conclusion: Evidence suggests that supervised therapeutic interventions that include physical and exercise modalities lasting between 6 and 9 weeks, with an average of 18 sessions and three times a week, significantly improve the variables studied in patients with DRF. Future studies should establish the dose-response correlation of these interventions. © 2017, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. All rights reserved.