Thanks to today’s guest blogger, Neal Church, PT
As a physical therapist, I love a challenge. One of my most formidable challenges is patients with tibial plateau fractures. Tibial plateau fractures are one of the most frustrating injuries for patients because it is such a long-drawn-out process. These fractures occur at the top of the tibia, or shin bone, which is a primary weight-bearing surface. Tibial plateau fractures are treated differently than fractures of the tibial shaft. When treating tibial plateau fractures, cartilage covers the top of the tibial plateau, which must be protected after these injuries in order to prevent arthritis. If the fracture is displaced, or isn’t lined up perfectly, the patient usually will need an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). This means the surgeon will open the knee and use hardware, i.e., screw and plates, to hold the fractured bone in place. Whether displaced or non-displaced, the patient is usually non-weight bearing for an extended period of time, which lasts as long as three months. Additionally, if the meniscus is involved, the physician may immobilize the patient for an extended period of time as well. All of this adds up to a very stiff knee!
an example of a TPF from medical-definitions.com
Regaining range of motion (ROM) is at the top of the list in rehab and does not come easily. Performing patellar joint mobilizations as soon as possible and establishing a solid home exercise program is vital. Gait training is always a part of the patient’s plan of care which progresses the patient from using a walker, to a cane, to independently ambulating without an assisted device. The gait training emphasizes heal strike, which is why straightening the knee is so crucial. Flexion, or bending the knee, can also be quite challenging and can make it difficult for the patient to go down steps, stand up from a sitting position, tie shoes and dress. Physical therapy visits are sometimes limited and there is much to be done while the patient is in the clinic. Utilizing time outside the clinic to regain ROM is crucial. A great modality that can be used at home is a Dynasplint. Dynasplint Knee Systems stretch the patient into extension or flexion and are available for every size patient. Remember, you can always wait to start strengthening, but you can’t wait to regain ROM. The longer you wait to regain ROM , the harder it will be.
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I have a huge range of motion loss in both of my feet becuase of Plantars Fasciitis and heel spurs
My son plays baseball. I’m afraid he will have limited range of motion when he gets older due to pitching.
mommync3 at yahoo dot com
My range of motion on my knees are limited after a football injury.
I’m glad that I have a full range of motion of all my parts
My range of motion in my elbow GREATLY improved with some tips from my friend who is an Occupational Therapist. Still not 100%, but working on it!
My range of motion can use a good deal of improvement. Gets worse as I get older
I have great “Range of Motion”…I can actually use a backpack!
Range of motion is very important in exercising properly.
range of motion is mentioned.
The range of motion in all my joints, but especially my knees, and neck has dramatically improved since I lost 60 lbs.
My range of motion was limited after I had knee surgery but I’m working hard to regain full range of motion so I can hike those Alaskan mountains again this summer. Also my range of motion has increased greatly since losing 80lbs….still have a ways to go but I’m working hard!!
Thanks!!
range of motion is limited but getting better.
My range of motion was limited with an elbow dislocation several years ago!Thankfully,it didn’t last long!
Hi Samantha, So glad your elbow ROM is back!
More range of motion the better!
Hi Roxanna, We agree that the more ROM, the better!
My range of motion has definitely changed through the years
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Thanks for dropping in, Valerie!
As you get older the range of motion of your joints becomes more and more critical.
Hi Jack, Truer words were never spoken!
Hubby had surgery on his knee a couple of years and it’s still bad. Another Dr (one I trust) told him to give up softball due to his knee not having the range of motion it needs. But his back is messed up too. So I think they both contribute to the problem.
Hi Marci, So sorry about your husband’s woes. Injuries are hard, and giving up sports is harder!
im worried about my sons range of motion he plays a lot of basketball and just hurt his knee
Hi Kathy, I hope your son’s knee is feeling better!
My range of motion in my arms has definitely lessened with age
Hi Carol, It is so important to stretch daily, especially as we age!
More range of motion equals less pain!
Hi Linda, More ROM makes everything feel better! Stay well.
I have some range of motion problems, but they were caused bu a stroke. My mother had & sister both have range of motion problems caused by broken hips. The information in this article is interesting.
Hi Carl, Here’s hoping you are coming along beautifully after your stroke. I hope your mother and sister are healing as well!
I have never had a range of motion injury.
Lucky you!
I would love this for my dad who just had shoulder surgery and will be in rehab to get back his “range of motion” .
Hi Andrea, Here is the link for the Dynasplint Shoulder Sytem to take to his doc: http://www.dynasplint.com/joints/shoulder/ I hope he is doing well.
I had knee surgery done on my left knee when I was 15 (due to a cheerleading accident) and I have never been able to get back to my original range of motion
katherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi! So sorry your knee is still bothering you. Keep stretching the best that you can each day!
I enjoyed reading about Range of Motion. I hurt my knee skiing years ago and my doctor showed me exercises that really helped. I work out a lot and now and make stretching before and after workouts a daily habit.
Hi Holly, You sound like you are doing a great job keeping that knee sound. I hope you get great snow and are out on the slopes doing what you love soon!
I have a knee injury and my range of motion sucks
Well, Levi- you know what I think? I think that you should ask your doc or therapist about a Knee Dynasplint System that you can wear at home while you are resting- watching TV or sleeping, etc. Stretching is always good! http://www.dynasplint.com/joints/knee/
I have a knee injury and wouldn’t believe how much of a impact limited “range of motion” is!!!
Hi Timothy, We hope you knee range of motion is improving daily. If you are still struggling achieving full extension or flexion (bend) take a look at this and ask your doctor if a HOME STRETCHING SPLINT IS RIGHT FOR YOU. STRETCHING IS ALWAYS GOOD! http://www.dynasplint.com/joints/knee/
Exercise would definitely help me get my full range of motion back.
Thanks for dropping by, Jill!
I have never had a range of motion injury.
Hi Erma, Stay well, my friend!
Thank you for submitting your giveaway to my contest directory! As someone who is currently experiencing a limited range of motion while recovering from two dislocated patella, the topic of your site is definitely on point to my situation! Off to read more!
Hi there! If your knee is actually stiff stiff and limited in either extension or flexion, please ask your doctor about a home stretching splint http://www.dynasplint.com/joints/knee/
I fractured my elbow and lost quite a bit of my range of motion! I feel ya! Hope everything gets better.
Hi Kristen, I hope you have gotten all of your range of motion back in your elbow. If you are still lacking the ability to totally straighten or bend it , OR turn your wrist with your palm up or down, then ask your doctor about a home stretching program with http://www.dynasplint.com/joints/elbow/ for the elbow, and this http://www.dynasplint.com/joints/forearm/ for your wrist motion.
Thank you for all of the tips for me to try to help with my range of motion! Great post and giveaway, thanks!
Thanks for dropping by, Amie!
I wish my range of motion in my neck would be much better.
Dear Leanne, I hope your neck is feeling better each day. Check in with your doctor or therapist and keep trying to regain that range!
I’ve thought about this a lot lately. I have Pernicious Anemia which went undiagnosed for many years (because it is traditionally a disease of age 60+ and the doctors didn’t test properly because I am younger) until I started to experience nerve damage. Now I have problems with my ankles, shoulders, elbows and my hips the most. The pain and being uncoordinated keep me from exercising and improving range of motion. It seems like a catch 22… like exercise would help, but I am unsure anymore.
after surgery on my wrist, i’ve lost most of the range of motion
Hi Andrea, Ask your doctor if a home stretching program is right for your wrist. Stretching is always GOOD! http://www.dynasplint.com/joints/wrist/
Congtaulations, Andrea! You won the Under Armor backpack. Please send your mailing address and phone number and I will ship your prize!
I had to help my mother in law regain range of motion, after she had surgery.
Hi Stephanie, So glad you were able to help your mother in law. You are a great daughter in law!
I can so feel my range of motion getting limited from lifting weights, so I try to do lots of yoga to counterbalance it!
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
Hi Melissa,
Great job on staying with a stretching routine. Enjoy your yoga!
I’ve had two friends that had knee surgery and Dynasplint knee systems were instrumental in regaining their range of motion
Hi Jamie, Yay for the Knee Dynasplint Systems! I am so glad that we were able to help 2 of your frinds post-operatively. We love success stories. Thanks for sharing.
As a nurse, I’m frequently helping my patients complete and learn range of motion exercises
Hi Marianna, Nurses get a special place in heaven
Thanks for all you do for your patients.
Let a doctor know if gentle range of motion exercises cause pain
Hi Susan, You are correct. Always check with your doctor and listen to your body!
Stretching helps improve range of motion.
April, You are correct! A+ on ROM for you.
range of motion is very important
Hi Brandi, Gold star for you! ROM is very important.
it seems that I am gradually loosing range of motion in both ankles
Hi Louis, Losing your range of motion in your ankles is no laughing matter. Please get checked out by your doc and ask if a home stretching splint is right for you. http://www.dynasplint.com/joints/ankle/
Range of motion is very painful and takes a lot of work to get the problem under control
Hi Shea, Sometimes recovering range of motion can be very hard and prolonged work, but it should not be painful. Stay well!
We give these out to lot of our patients and they work great
Hi Dawn, I am so delighted that you are using Dynasplint Systems in your practice/clinc. We love to see patients regain their range faster, comfortably and safely! Thanks for all you do !
I would like to improve my range of motion. I’d also like to win the backpack!
Hi Brad, Thanks for entering. Good luck!
Great bag! Thanks for the giveaway. I would LOVE one to haul my stuff to the gym. Range of motion…
Hi Amy, Good luck on the giveaway and have a good workout!
I’m plagued with knee pain, especially when climbing stairs or standing. Now I wonder if this is a range of motion problem.
Hi Rhonda, I would check in with your doctor. Living with knee pain is not the way it ought to be.
Very imformative article about Range of Motion. I am trying not to be a hypochondriac, but it almost sounds like that may be what is going on with me…
Hi there! I know what you mean about reading a medical article and wondering if that’s true with you. I do that too!! Stay well!
My knee loses it’s range of motion at times, it’s the first joint I’ve had that has given me a problem.
Hi Kelly, I would have your doc take a look at your knee if the instability persists. Better safe than sorry and perhap you can get better function than you have now.