Abstract

Background. The Distal end of radius fracture is the most common fracture site in the upper extremity; it causes functional problems and can result in some disabling complications. Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Low-level laser therapy versus therapeutic ultrasound after the distal end of radius fracture fixation. Method. Forty patients were assigned randomly into two groups (Group A and Group B) with ages ranged from 18-45 ys. Group A consisted of fifteen female patients and five male patients, and received Low-level laser therapy, group B consisted of fifteen female patients and five male patients, and therapeutic ultrasound for 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Patients were evaluated pre and post-treatment for the function of the wrist joint, grip strength, and wrist joint’s ROM. Results. When comparing patients in group (A) who received LASER therapy, and patients in group B who received Therapeutic ultrasound, we observed clinical difference but it was only statistically significant in favor of group (A) patients in terms of wrist extension, Radial deviation and Ulnar deviation but it was no statistically significant in favor of group (A) patients in terms of wrist flexion. Group (A) patients also had no statistical significance when assessing the wrist proprioception at 20° angle flexion and extension. Conclusion. It can be concluded that both Low-level laser therapy and therapeutic ultrasound after Distal end of radius fractures fixation improved wrist range of motion and proprioception. Both of similar degrees of improvement, however low-level laser therapy had more improvements than therapeutic ultrasound in the wrist ROM of extension, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation.

Key words:

The distal end of radius fracture, Low-level laser therapy, Therapeutic ultrasound