Physical therapy management of hand fractures.

Hand fractures can be a complicated management dilemma for both the general clinician and the specialist. To better equip the therapist to treat fractures in the hand, a brief review of bone and articular cartilage healing and the effects of immobilization are reviewed. Active, passive, and resistive exercises for the patient with hand fracture are reviewed in addition to treatment of the associated problems of scar formation, edema, and pain. Static and dynamic splinting techniques are also discussed.