ORIF Distal Radius Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

he study will be a prospective randomized control trial consisting of subjects requiring ORIF of the distal radius. Subjects will be divided into two groups based on age, then subsequently be randomly divided into two groups following their inclusion in the study. Groups will be normalized based on gender. One group will undergo the normal rehabilitation protocol for the hand and wrist as determined by Dr. Liberman. The study group will undergo rehabilitation protocol for distal radius fractures modified by use of a tourniquet for blood flow restriction during selected exercises. On the day of the procedure, the surgeon will measure the subject's forearm girth, the location of the largest circumference. The subject will then undergo the normal operative fixation of the distal radius fracture. A subject will be excluded from the study if they have had any prior surgeries on their affected wrist. At the subject's two week postoperative clinic visit, the physician will measure forearm girth. Study group subjects will begin physical therapy instructed BFR exercises at two weeks post operatively. Study group subjects will be taken through normal hand and wrist rehab protocol as well as BFR exercises. Control group subjects will do the same exercises and formal physical therapy rehab protocol as the study group without BFR.