Physiotherapy العلاج الطبيعي

Permanent URI for this collection

https://dspace.alquds.edu/handle/20.500.12213/7168

Browse

Browsing Physiotherapy العلاج الطبيعي by Author "Asem Husien Rushdi Abdelghani"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Impact of Early Versus Delayed Physiotherapy Intervention on Humerus Fracture Functional Recovery in Resource-Limited Settings
    (Al-Quds Univeersity, 2025-12-28) Asem Husien Rushdi Abdelghani; عاصم حسين رشدي عبد الغني
    Background: Humerus fractures represent a significant orthopedic challenge and may result in pain, restricted shoulder mobility, and functional disability if rehabilitation is not initiated appropriately. Although early physiotherapy is believed to enhance recovery, the optimal timing for rehabilitation initiation remains controversial, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings such as Palestine. Aim: This study aimed to compare the effects of early versus delayed physiotherapy initiation on pain, edema, shoulder range of motion, and functional recovery among adults’post humerus fractures. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted amongst 40 adults aged 18–60 years diagnosed with humerus fractures. Participants were allocated into two groups: an early intervention group (n = 20), in which physiotherapy was initiated within two weeks following orthopedic referral, and a delayed intervention group (n = 20), in which physiotherapy commenced at least after six weeks due to several delayed reasons. Both groups received standardized physiotherapy protocols adapted to fracture stage and patient tolerance. Outcome measures included pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the McGill Pain Questionnaireto help patients describe and quantify their pain's quality. While for functional recovery the Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) we used, shoulder range of motion measured using a goniometer, and edema evaluated through standardized circumferential limb measurements and lastly the upper limb function and disability assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and. Assessments were performed at baseline and after an 8-week intervention period. Results: Improvements were observed across all outcome measures in both groups following physiotherapy. However, participants who received early physiotherapy demonstrated greater gains in shoulder range of motion and functional performance compared with those who received delayed intervention. Pain reduction occurred in both groups, with earlier initiation resulting in faster and more clinically meaningful improvement. Early intervention was also associated with lower disability levels and enhanced functional independence at follow-up. Conclusion: Early initiation of physiotherapy following humerus fracture is associated with superior functional recovery, improved shoulder mobility, reduced pain and edema, and decreased disability without compromising safety. These findings support the implementation of timely rehabilitation strategies and highlight the need to improve access to early physiotherapy services in resource-limited settings.