Orthopedic Fracture Recovery

Managing the cast or traction phase

In the early weeks, care focuses on keeping the cast or traction setup clean and intact, monitoring the skin at its edges for irritation, checking circulation and sensation in the limb below the injury, and managing pain and swelling. Our nurses are trained to spot early warning signs such as numbness, unusual swelling or a foul odour from beneath a cast, which need prompt attention from the treating surgeon.

Weight-bearing progression, stage by stage

• Non-weight-bearing phase: positioning, limb elevation and gentle exercises for uninjured joints
• Toe-touch or partial weight-bearing phase: guided practice with a walker or crutches as advised
• Progressive weight-bearing phase: increasing load on the limb under physiotherapist supervision
• Full weight-bearing phase: strengthening, balance retraining and return to normal gait pattern
• Ongoing check of alignment and comfort during each stage before advancing further

Working with the ortho surgeon's follow-up schedule

Fracture healing is confirmed through X-rays at set intervals, and progression to the next weight-bearing stage should follow the surgeon's clearance, not the patient's comfort level alone. We keep a record of each follow-up visit's outcome and adjust the home therapy plan accordingly, so rehab never runs ahead of what the bone can actually support.

Preventing stiffness in unaffected joints

While the fractured bone is immobilised, nearby joints can stiffen from disuse. We include supervised movement of the shoulder, wrist, hip or ankle - whichever joints are not directly injured - so the whole limb is easier to rehabilitate once the fracture has healed.