CORA Physical Therapy

In Your Corner with CORA: Forearm Fractures

| Adam Goodrich

Your Health, Objectively. Treating Everyone Right.

In Your Corner with CORA continues our series on common upper and lower extremity injuries for football players and athletes of all varieties and sport. Our expert panels have discussed the topics of Shoulder Injuries, Pectoralis Major Tears, Distal Biceps Tendon Tears, AC Joint Injuries, Concussion Management & Protocols (Part 1 and Part 2) and Distal Radius Fractures.

On our next episode, Dr. Colleen Glisson, Orthopedic Surgeon at Advanced Bone & Joint in Missouri and Caitlin Whiteley, DPT at our CORA clinic in South County, Missouri are welcomed again by host Dr. Richard Lehman to form an expert panel discussion on Forearm Fractures.

Our experts dive into the finer details of the initial physical exam following a forearm fracture, specifically neuro status, compartment evaluation, and talk about the pain levels associated with passive extension of the digits. Dr. Lehman and Dr. Glisson discuss when it’s appropriate to get a compartment pressure test and what the surgery to release the forearm compartment entails.

In Your Corner with CORA on Forearm Fractures is jam-packed with the type of information you simply can’t get anywhere else! Learn about the anatomy of the forearm with particular attention to the interosseous membrane, the axis of rotation and the importance of the radial head in stability. Get answers to your frequently asked questions such as:

  1. What is the mechanism of injury in a fractured forearm?  How do forearm fractures most commonly occur?
  2. Are there specific injuries that are most often associated with a forearm fracture? Specifically, compartment syndrome, associated elbow injuries, DRUJ injuries and Galeazzi fractures and Monteggia fractures.
  3. What are the classifications of forearm fractures? How does that pertain to treatment?
  4. What radiographs are needed when evaluating a forearm injury?
  5. What are the different treatment options and what fixation techniques are available for patients?
  6. How is the immediate post-surgical immobilization handled?
  7. When does the patient start a physical therapy program? Is there a difference between the short-term protocol vs. long-term protocols for patients?
  8. How long before the athlete is usually able and ready to return to sport (pain free!)?
  9. What function can the athlete expect after healing from a forearm fracture? Can the athlete expect full range of motion following rehab?
  10. Are there any potential complications during surgery? And, specifically, what are the post-op complications of fixing a both bone fracture alignment (i.e. rotation (loss), delayed or nonunion)?
  11. What circumstances dictate the fracture to be bone grafted?

Wait, there’s more! The panel discusses details of forearm fractures, including compartment pressure measurements and so much more. Why? So that you have the knowledge and education to prepare for when you or someone you know experiences a forearm fracture.

In Your Corner with CORA on Forearm Fractures lets you into the world -and minds- of world renown orthopedic surgeons and medical experts. We’ll tell you exactly how long you can expect to return to normal pain-free daily living, and the timeline it takes to get you back in the game! Watch, listen, and enjoy.

CORA is in your corner with experienced partners, larger networks, and the resources available to deliver exceptional care to you — and uniquely for you.