When do we start exercises after fractures...and what exercises?

[Quadrilateral0576]

Thanks Awhina for the reply!

Exercises can start when the treating surgeon is giving the green light.

This is what I believe....that the captain is the doctor, specifically the ortho surgeon...and it is he/she who can say when physio can start..and it could vary from patient to patient AND from one type of fracture(or procedure) to another. But is there a general rule(s) as to when(4wks after or 6wks after or 8wks after) physiotherapy exercises can start?

Exercise prescription after such significant injuries should be prescribedby a trained professional, such as a physiotherapist.

Yes, I agree. Which is why I was just surprised when we(comm carer) were told to make sure our patients are not deconditioned at home and that they should be encouraged & supervised by us to do standard/generic bed exercises(ankle pumps, knee raises, heel slides, squeezing buttocks & pressing back of knees to bed).

I am surprised that these clients do not already have a programme in place - will they not have been seen by a physio already (e.g. in hospital)?

That's the proper discharge procedure I was expecting for these patients with fractures s/p POP application and/or procedures(TKR, THR etc)...but no..they are discharged with no initial physio assessment in the hospital ..and maybe just for home visit by a physio once they're home. I'd like to think it's a way of decongesting wards and/or beds.

[Awhina]

But is there a general rule(s) as to when(4wks after or 6wks after or 8wks after) physiotherapy exercises can start?

No

Another question please - Why does management expect clients to decondition at home? Are they discharged before they can walk?

Cheers,
Andrea