The bone has healed, the cast is off — yet the limb is stiff, weak, swollen and “foreign”? This is the moment many patients think “it’s over” — and exactly the moment the final result is decided. A healed fracture does not mean recovered function: that is what rehabilitation does.
Why do problems remain after immobilisation?
Weeks in a cast or fixation cost: joints stiffen (the capsule contracts), muscles visibly waste (atrophy), circulation and drainage slow down (persistent swelling), bone loses local density, and the brain “forgets” fine movement patterns. All reversible — with the right programme.
What does rehab target?
In order: swelling and pain control, restoring joint mobility (gently and progressively — brutal forcing sustains inflammation), rebuilding strength, retraining coordination and proprioception, then loading specific to your activities — from carrying bags to sport.
Common traps
“Waiting for it to pass” (stiffness sets), months of over-protection, comparing with the healthy limb only at the end (progress is measured from the start), and ignoring warning signs — disproportionate pain, swelling and extreme sensitivity can indicate complex regional pain syndrome, which needs prompt specialised handling.
How we work at Medicine Park
We take over per your orthopaedist’s indication, whichever the bone — wrist, ankle, shoulder, hip, collarbone: we assess mobility, strength and swelling, build the staged programme with measurable goals, use manual therapy for stiffness and scars, and guide you to full function, not just “acceptable”. All in English.
How long does recovery take?
The practical rule: function recovers over a period comparable to the immobilisation time, sometimes longer — 6–12 weeks for most fractures, more for complex ones. An early start shortens everything.
When to start
Ideally during immobilisation (neighbouring joints can be worked). Definitely right after cast removal. And yes — rehab works for “old” fractures with after-effects too. Your first assessment at Medicine Park is free.
