Lower
Arm Fractures |
| Self-Help Supplies |
All of the supplies needed or necessary that
are mentioned in our rehab guidelines and rehab exercising self-help
programs are available in our Bookstore.
First, let's look at normal Palm up and Palm Down views.
 
Palm Up Normal Views
Palm Down
Case 1
This is a rider who broke his right lower arm radial bone during
a Friday National Supercross practice session. He was
taken to the hospital where a surgical open reduction and plate
pinning procedure (x-ray views on left). The views of
the lower arm on the right were taken two days into our rehab
procedures and only 4 days following the surgery. Note
the marked acceleration of the healing process using our rehab
procedures.
  
Palm up
Palm at right angle
Fracture update right arm
Fracture following surgery 01-11-02
radial bone 01-15-02
Three week follow-up picture using our Self-Help Rehab Program.
01-28-02
This patient had full range of motion and very good muscle strength
within 8-days of treatment. I received an e-mail communication
one week later informing me that he had already started his
practice riding again.
Note the above radial bone fracture that was successfully corrected
by surgery. This surgical procedure known as an open reduction
with the attachment of metal platting by screws to the bone
was performed. This 23 year old rider landed on the front face
of a triple jump and broke his right radial bone in his lower
arm.
Fractures of the distal radial and ulna bones are very common
during the riders new bone and body growth periods during their
teenager years. Also these bone fractures are very common
after casing a double or triple jump.
Case
2
This is a 9 year old KX-60 rider who experienced an impact fracture
of his left distal radial body in his lower arm when he over
jumped a table top. Note that the bone has good anatomical
positioning both on the lateral and anterior-posterior x-rays
views.
Impact fracture of left arm distal radial bone
The yellow arrows point out the fracture site at the distal
radial bone. Note that, even with the fracture the bone still
retains its anatomical alignment.
He remained in a splint type cast until reaching our office
4 days following the fall.
We started him on our self-help rehab program teaching him and
his parents the home applications while he was on electromagnetic
therapies in our office. He had recovered full ranges
of motion and a lot of muscle strength of his left arm fingers,
hand, and wrist joints. Following a series of electromagnetic
therapeutic treatments we placed him in a riding and practice
splint.
Wrist Bracing
This is the lower arm-wrist brace
that is preferred by the riders.
This brace is used during the entire rehab process and for levers
3 and 4 in the rehab program. Level 3 is where the injury
has improved enough to start and level 4 is when the injury
has improved enough to return to raci41. The brace is
viewed as a protective splint for both lower are-wrist
stabilization and for riding and raci41. |
| Splints Vs Casts |
All new broken bone injuries are generally
treated first with a splint. The main reason is because
there will be swelling going on during the first one to two
days following the injury. And generally following one week
a permanent cast replaces the splint. However, the arm
splint is perfect for rehab and treatments. It allows for the
direct placement contact and treatment of the Diapulse head
or any other treatment therapy directly on the skin surface.
This placement provides the best and faster way of allowing
the injury to heal at its fastest possible recovery rate.
Splint on distal radial bone fracture
Arm Sling
During the initial stages of the injury an arm sling is a good
idea for arm immobilization and elevation.
An Arm Sling is a good idea during the
first week or two following the injury. |
| Let's review the treatment protocol |
1. Hot and Cold Applications mixed with water.
Apply the RICES-Rule from the chapter on
"Hot &
Cold Application" as outlined in the chapter.
2. Skin Brushing is one of the best self-help applications for
accelerating recovery, bruise, swelling and
pain elimination,
and connective
tissue regeneration. It is listed as Skin Brushing.
Do this two to three times a day at least.
See Skin Brushing.
3. Epsom Salt & Apple Cider Vinegar Bathing at least once
a
day, preferably just before going
to bed. Combine this one with
skin
brushing. It is listed as Epsom
Salts Bath.
4. Bio-Cleanse Procedure
The Bio-Cleanse process
is a method that removes cellular debris from injured
tissues and other unwanted toxic materials. The body detoxifies
while you are
comfortably seated with
your feet placed in a container of warm water. This
method has been proven to be a very efficient way of removing
the
accumulations of injured tissues,
cellular debris, and many toxic materials
regardless of where they are located in the body.
The Bio-Cleanse Process is unique in that it generates a stream
of positive and
negative ions (charged atoms),
which attract and attach themselves to oppositely
charged cellular debris and toxic particles and draws them out
of the body
through the skin. For more
information of this amazing process click on
Bio-Cleanse.
5. Piezo Electric Stimulator
is a small hand held unit about the size of
a ink pen. Electric stimulation to troubled or injured areas
allows
these areas, not only heal faster,
but in most cases heal without the
formation
of scar tissue. Applying electrical stimulation early in
any
problem allow the body to repair
before the advance needs of
chemical
poisonous (drugs) or surgery. Electricity allows the body's
repair program to repair and regenerate the
troubled or injured
tissues back
to an identical replacement tissue, making it like new.
6. Essential Oils
Essential Oils is a soothing, penetrating herbal oil and balm
that
eases pain and, at the same time
promote healing for a wide variety
of
conditions including aches, pains, soreness, tenderness, swelling,
and tightness. It was originally developed
by the Sholin Priests to aid
their recovery
from injuries they sustained while practicing extremely
rigorous martial arts training and activities.
It is a highly successful
home treatment
for over 30 known conditions including; injuries,
sinus, back pain, headaches, high stress conditions, sore throats,
heartburn, arthritis, rheumatism & sprains
& strains.
Historical, Essential
Oils was applied in different manners to produce
its amazing successful results. The Chinese would rub Essential
Oils
(in Herb form) gently with a circular
motion (CW = increases its
action, CCW
= slows its action, in the Northern Hemisphere). The
Essential Oils would begin to liquefy, and a small ridge would
adhere
to the finger. With that amount
of balm or oil, the Chinese would then
use it for many conditions and ailments.
Electromagnetics
Electromagnetic
therapies (Diapulse) have performance of healing this bone
fracture to a level 2 (normal activity) within 7 days. And it
will reach a level #3 in 14 days (practice riding and racing)
and will reach a level #4 by 21 days (fully race ready). Medical
protocol will have you do nothing for 6 to 8 to 12 weeks. After
surgery MD's offer you nothing that works well at all and in
the process encourage the connective tissues at the site to
atrophy. I have never been impressed with their protocol. For
Diapulse treatment settings see Diapulse Treatment Protocols.
Bio-Cleanse Unit & Process
The Bio-Cleanse Unit
Bath at starting point Bath
after 30 minutes
Note the injured cellular debris (orange & red colors) shown
in the bath following
30 minutes of positive and negative ion exposure. This
reddish orange debris is some of the injured tissues hurt in
the accident. The rider commented that his pain, stiffness,
soreness, and tenderness levels had decreased a lot by the end
of the treatment. This therapy is unique in that it can
be used in the corrective rehab program and for prevention of
future injuries, as well. To learn more about this amazing piece
of raci41 self-help care equipment click on Bio-Cleanse.
Exercising
The muscle groups necessary to exercise in the low arm, whether
to the uninvolved or contralateral side or to the injured side
are:
1. Hand & Finger Flexion 2. Hand & Finger Extension
3. Wrist Flexion
4. Wrist Extension 5. Wrist Internal Rotation 6.
Wrist External Rotation
7. Elbow Flexion 8. Elbow Extension
Low arm hand & finger flexion is performed by squeezing
a rubber ball. Hand & Finger extension is performed
using rubber bands. Wrist flexion and extension are performed
with the exercising surgical tubing called Theraciser.
Let's review the slow and fast twitch muscle contraction times.
Remember it should take 2 seconds to travel through each direction
of its 90 degrees range of motion. And it should take another
2 seconds to travel back to initial starting position.
There will be a total of 4 second of time per rep in all of
the below exercises. Doing 1 set of 6 reps will take 24 seconds
to complete. Rehab practice makes permanent. Do it slowly
and perfectly. Be demanding on yourself to perform it
correctly every rep and every set.
Also remember that if the exercising unit is to difficult for
your muscles to pull, move towards the exercising unit a little
closer. This action decreases the stress load on
the exercising unit and it becomes less tight. Remember
this ir rehab exercising not athletic body building and development.
Remember to read and review the chapter on Rehab Exercising
before starting your exercise program.
Now let's take a closer look at how to specifically exercise
the lower arm muscle groups. |
| Rehab Exercising For the Lower
Arm |
Remember that you can start rehab exercising
the good arm the very next day even though the involved arm
is totally unable to move or even be exercised. Start of with
one set of six reps exercising the slow twitch muscle fibers
of the below listed muscle groups. To review sets, reps, slow
and fast twitch exercising read Rehab
Exercising.
Lower Arm Exercising
There are eight muscle groups that are exercised to rehab
the lower are. They are:
1. Finger & hand Flexion
2. Finger & hand Extension
3. Wrist Flexion
4. Wrist Extension
5. Wrist Internal Rotation
6. Wrist External Rotation
7. Elbow Flexion
8. Elbow Extension
Reminders
Let's go over them as they are listed above. Remember the
following points before starting the listed lower arm exercises
below:
1. Your are rehabbing an injury even though you are exercising
the good side.
1. Always exercise the fullest or greatest range of joint
motion of each joint
2. But only exercise within the "Pain Free" range
of motion (The Green Zone)
3. Start off with a 2-second muscle contraction over its fullest
pain free range of
motion.
4. Sets & Reps
A. Start with 1 set of 6 reps on the good
side once a day for the first two days.
B. Then go to exercising 2 sets of 6 reps
twice a day.
C. On the 5th and 6th days do 3 sets of
6 reps 3-times a day.
e. From the 7th day and beyond do 4 sets
of 6 reps 4-times a day.
5. You may adjust the bungee tension or resistance by
moving towards or away
from its point of attachment. Remember
to always stay and work the injured
area within its Green Zone for both its
range of motion and muscle strength.
1. Exercising Tools for the lower arm, hand &
fingers
All of rehab exercising tools & material
shown below are listed in our
Bookstore.
 
Tennis Ball & Rubber Bands
Bungee Exerciser Cord 6' long and 5/16" in thickness
1. Finger & Hand Flexion
Hand
& fingers relaxed
Hand & fingers flexed
Squeeze the ball, hold for two seconds, then release.
Repeat five more times.
This will complete 1 set of 6 reps.
2. Finger & Hand Extension
Hand
& fingers relaxed
Hand & fingers extended
Open-up your fingers, hold for two seconds, then relax.
Repeat 5 more times.
This will complete 1 set of 6 reps.
3. Wrist Flexion
 
The wrist should travel through its complete flexion range
of motion over a 2-second count. Then allow it to extend
over the another two second count. Repeat 5 more
times. This will complete 1 set of 6 reps.
4. Wrist Extension
 
The wrist should travel through its complete extension range
of motion over a 2-second count. Then allow it to flex
over the another two second count. Repeat 5 more times.
This will complete 1 set of 6 reps.
5. Wrist Internal Rotation
 
The wrist should travel through its complete internal rotation
range of motion over a 2-second count. Then allow it
to externally rotate to the starting position over the another
two second count. Repeat 5 more times. This will
complete 1 set of 6 reps.
6. Wrist External Rotation
The wrist should travel through its complete external rotation
range of motion over a 2-second count. Then allow it
to Internally rotate back to its starting position over
the another two second count. Repeat 5 more times.
This will complete 1 set of 6 reps.
7. Elbow Flexion
 
The elbow should travel through its complete flexion range
of motion over a 2-second count. Then allow it to extend
back to its starting position over the another two second
count. Repeat 5 more times. This will complete
1 set of 6 reps.
8. Elbow Extension
 
The elbow should travel through its complete extension range
of motion over a 2-second count. Then allow it to flex
back to its starting position over the another two second
count. Repeat 5 more times. This will complete
1 set of 6 reps.
If you need to change the hand and finger extension resistance
all that is required is for you to add or subtract a few rubber
bands.
The above Rehab
Exercising Program works very well for hand injuries.
Start off with crossover exercising stimulation. That is to
say work or exercise the good arm through its full range of
motion (isotonic surgical tubing). The bone is required to
heal by over lapping the two broken bone pieces with fibrous
connective tissues. This process varies depending on the practitioner's
level of understanding and their ability to apply Wholistic
therapeutics. Drugs only slow down the healing process. Pain
is controlled very easily with N-1 and N-2 ceramic magnetic
(see Ceramic magnetic in the Electromagnetic Therapies in
the Health Care section of the library). Also exercising in
the green (pain free) zones for overflow work exceptional
well. For more on "Cross Over" and "Overflow"
see our web site in the Health Care section listed as "Rehab
Exercise Program" For sets and reps also see Rehab Exercise
Program.
Also read about how Arch
Supports can accelerate broken bones to heal by balancing
the body's biomechanical musculoskeleto system and greatly
reduces stress. Do the simple tape test listed towards
the end of the chapter to see if arch supports will help your
condition.
|
| Herbs and Vitamins |
| Nothing can perform or compete against the
herb Solomon's Seal and Cal Phos. Horsetail and Golden Seal
come close but get lapped in the race to heal at your best possible
rate. See Herbs & Vitamins in the Health Care section of
the library. |
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