The Effect of Russian Current Stimulation Versus Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise on the Range of Motion in Patients with Colles’ Fracture

Background: Hand stiffness is one of the major complications of post colles’ fracture which associated with poor functional outcome, increase pain around wrist and impairment of Range of Motion (ROM) and grip strength. Objective: This study compared the effects of Russian current stimulation and closed kinetic chain exercise on ROM of wrist joint in patients with colles’ fracture. Methods: Forty-five patients with stable colles’ fractures were randomly classified into three groups with fifteen patients in each group; Group I received traditional exercise in the form of; wrist mobilization, stretching exercises, range of motion exercises (passive and active) and edema control of the wrist joint. Group II stimulated by electrical Russian current in addition to traditional exercise. Group III received closed kinetic chain exercise (wall press, plyometric wall push up, quadruped rhythmic stabilization, and push up exercises) plus traditional exercise. Outcome measures including ROM of flexion, extension, radial deviation and ulnar deviation were evaluated by baseline digital goniometer before and after 6 weeks of treatment program. Results: Showed that Group II that received electrical Russian current stimulation had higher statistical significant than Group I and Group III (p 0.05). Conclusion: The finding of the study revealed that stimulation of wrist flexors by Russian current in addition to a traditional exercise program was more effective on wrist ROM than exercise alone after colles’ fracture.