Does hydrotherapy help improve post ankle fracture symptoms?
Date First Published:
October 2, 2012
Last Updated:
August 30, 2013
Report by:
Laura Hay, Senior Specialist Physiotherapist (Manchester Royal Infirmary)
Three-Part Question:
In [adults presenting with pain and reduced function after sustaining an ankle fracture who have been managed either conservatively or surgically] will [hydrotherapy] improve [pain and function]
Clinical Scenario:
In the physiotherapy department you see two 50-year-old female patients who have both sustained ankle fractures 12 weeks ago and are mobilising with crutches. One has been conservatively managed and the other has had an open reduction–internal fixation. You wonder whether hydrotherapy would be a viable treatment option for either patient. A literature search is required in order to ascertain whether hydrotherapy is an appropriate intervention for either patient.
Search Strategy:
AMED 1985 to June 2013
Embase 1980 to 2013 Week 24
Ovid MEDLINE 1946 to June Week 2 2013
Cochrane Database
Embase 1980 to 2013 Week 24
Ovid MEDLINE 1946 to June Week 2 2013
Cochrane Database
Search Details:
[lower limb.mp OR ankle.mp OR talar.mp OR Weber.mp OR Plafond.mp OR tibia$.mp OR fibula$.mp] AND fracture$.mp] AND [hydrotherap$.mp]
Outcome:
Twelve studies were found, none of which were appropriate to answer the three-part question
Bottom Line:
At present there is a dearth of evidence to answer the clinical question.