Clinical value of rehabilitation nursing after internal fixation of distal radius fractures.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of rehabilitation nursing following internal fixation of distal radius fractures (DRFs).

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 114 patients who underwent internal fixation for DRFs between July 2019 and May 2023. Among them, 54 patients received routine nursing care (control group) and 60 patients received rehabilitation nursing (observation group). Comparative analyses were conducted on postoperative pain (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]), swelling, rehabilitation indicators (healing time, time to regain limb mobility, and hospital stays), wrist joint functional recovery (grip strength, Gartland-Werley Scale, rate of excellent and good reduction), quality of life (Short-Form 36 [SF-36]), adverse emotions (Self-Rating Depression Scale [SDS] and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale [SAS]), and nursing satisfaction.

Results: The observation group exhibited a significant stepwise decrease in VAS and swelling scores on postoperative days 3 and 7 compared to preoperative levels (all P<0.05), and these scores were lower than those of the control group (all P<0.05). The observation group also showed significantly shorter healing time, faster recovery of limb mobility, and reduced hospital stays (all P<0.05). Additionally, patients in the observation group demonstrated higher grip strength, a greater rate of excellent and good reduction, and significantly lower Gartland-Werley, SDS, and SAS scores compared to the control group (all P<0.05). Higher SF-36 scores and greater nursing satisfaction were also observed in the observation group (both P<0.05).

Conclusions: Rehabilitation nursing after internal fixation of DRFs has significant clinical value, evidenced by substantial relief of postoperative pain and swelling, reduction in adverse emotions, enhanced rehabilitation, improved wrist joint function, and higher quality of life and nursing satisfaction.