Yourphysical therapistshould understand Wolff’s law to help guide your rehabilitation after a fracture or broken bone.
If you have osteoporosis, your bones may be brittle and weak.
This can lead topathologic fracture, most commonly in the spine or hip.
Jeannot Olivet / Getty Images
Weight-bearing and strength exercises are usually recommended as a non-medicinal treatment for osteoporosis.
Putting gradual and progressive weight through a bone can help it grow into healthy bone.
If you have suffered a fracture,bone healingoccurs while you have been immobilized with a cast or splint.
After immobilization, a gentlerange of motionand stress can help improve the overall strength of your bone.
That is why you typically wear a cast or brace after a fracture.
You must protect your fractured bone as it heals.
But what if you have been immobilized in a cast or sling after a fracture?
How can you safely start applying the right stress to your injured bone to promote optimal healing?
That’s where the skilled services of your physical therapist come in.
During this time, there may be some benefit of early mobilization for your ankle.
He or she can prescribe partial weight-bearing exercises and help you progress them to full weight-bearing exercises.
By controlling this progression, your PT can ensure that you safely return to optimal function quickly and safely.
Specific Stress Equals Specific Adaptations to Bones
The SAID principle is one that comes into play here.
SAID is an acronym for specific adaptations to imposed demands.
That means that your body will adapt to the demands that you place upon it every day.
This is the basis for Wolff’s Law.
This can ensure that proper healing takes place and that you return to normal function quickly and safely.
A Word From Verywell
A broken bone can be a painful and scary experience.
It may leave you feeling like basic functional tasks are difficult.
Your physical therapist is an expert in helping you regain mobility after a fracture.
A well-rounded PT and rehab program can ensure you get back to your normal lifestyle quickly and safely.
J Clin Orthop Trauma.
Public Health Rep. 1989;104 Suppl:54-8.
Int J Sports Phys Ther.
2014;9(4):428-35.
