Serious games therapy associated with conventional physical therapy intervention accelerated hand muscles strengthening and hand functioning after complex fracture of the wrist: A case report

Abstract

Study design: Case report.

Introduction: A severe wrist fracture can cause permanent physical disabilities and deformities, leading to limit patients in their occupation and social environment.

Purpose of the study: We aim at presenting a treatment protocol and the functional outcome of a patient with severe clinical state after a rare wrist fracture.

Methods: We provided physical therapy intervention associated with serious games for muscle strengthening.

Results and discussion: There was an increase in strengthening and a decrease in Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score and Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation scores. The International Classification of Functioning scores have changed from severe to light or to absent in many of the domains.

Conclusion: The use of serious games combined with a conventional physical therapy intervention played a fundamental role in recovery and return to work activities, and there was also an important recovery of general health condition.

Keywords: Case report; International classification of functioning; Muscle strength; Radius fractures; Rehabilitation; Ulna fractures.