Postoperative Immobilization and Physical Therapy Following Volar Locked Plating for Distal Radius Fractures

The purpose of this study is to see if splinting and formal physical therapy are necessary following surgical fixation (open reduction internal fixation) of distal radius fractures (broken wrist). Currently there is no consensus for post-operative protocol following fixation of distal radius fractures. The decision to splint (late mobilization) and prescribe formal physical therapy vs. not to splint (early mobilization) and use self-guided physical therapy is based on surgeon or institutional preference. The goal of this study is to determine if early mobilization leads to improved outcomes and decreased costs without increasing pain or the loss of hardware fixation.