The Influence of Early Exercise (proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based Muscle Activation) on Functional Prognosis in Patients with Distal Radius Fracture: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background Early rehabilitation is important after distal radius fractures, but evidence for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation remains limited. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based early exercise program on functional prognosis after surgical fixation of distal radius fractures, compared with standard postoperative care. Study Design A retrospective observational study. Methods In this retrospective observational study, 114 surgically treated patients from January-December 2023 were allocated to a control group receiving standard postoperative care or an early exercise group receiving additional Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based exercise starting 3-4 weeks after surgery. Outcomes included wrist range of motion, grip strength, pain level, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, time to return to work, and radiographic healing at 12 weeks. Results At 6 weeks after surgery, the early exercise group showed greater wrist flexion (4.9°), extension (4.3°), pronation (5.4°), and supination (4.9°) than the control group. Grip strength was 3.1 kg higher (p = 0.002), Visual Analog Scale pain scores were 1.4 points lower (p = 0.001), and the mean DASH score was better (p = 0.015). Time to return to work was shorter (p = 0.002), and the healing rate at 12 weeks after surgery was higher (p = 0.002). Conclusions Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based early exercise significantly enhanced wrist motion, grip strength, pain relief, and disability reduction, leading to faster return to work and improved fracture healing. These results support incorporating structured Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based rehabilitation into standard postoperative care for distal radius fractures.