The effectiveness of therapeutic exercises in rehabilitating patients with femur fracture after fixation with an internal spinal screw

Abstract

Despite significant advances in surgical fixation techniques using the internal spinal screw, there is still variability in functional recovery outcomes among patients, some of whom experience persistent difficulties in restoring muscle strength, range of motion, and normal gait. This discrepancy raises questions about the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise programs implemented after surgery, and the extent to which they are based on clear scientific foundations based on recent research evidence. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic exercises in rehabilitating patients with femur fracture after internal spinal screw fixation, by reducing the degree of pain, increasing muscle strength, improving the ability to stand, and improving walking pattern.. The experimental approach with a pre- and post-design was used for one experimental group, due to its suitability to the nature of the study and its ability to measure changes resulting from the treatment program before and after application. The study population consisted of cases suffering from a femur fracture fixed with an internal screw and visitors to physical therapy centers, while the study sample was selected intentionally, and their ages ranged between 55 and 70 years, and their number reached 7 cases.. The results showed a significant reduction in pain levels, with average pain scores falling from 6.29 to 2.57, demonstrating the effectiveness of the program in relieving pain, and the effect size was very large (3.251). The results also showed a clear increase in muscle strength, with the average doubling from 2.00 to 4.00, with an average effect size (0.577), reflecting the success of the exercises in strengthening the muscles supporting the joint and reducing weakness resulting from injury or lack of movement. As for improving the ability to stand, the average increased from 4.29 to 7.29, with a large effect size (1.155), which indicates the effectiveness of the program in developing the sample's ability to stand and stand correctly. The results also showed a clear improvement in walking, with the average increasing from 5.00 to 7.14, with a large effect size (1.069), which enhances the efficiency of motor independence and reduces the previous functional limitations of the sample.