Limb injury? Get moving

Weekend warriors and others who suffer injuries to arms and legs often are advised by their doctors to keep the limb immobile to speed their recovery. But a new study suggests that activity may be the best medicine.

Australian researchers analyzed 49 studies that involved 3,366 patients with a variety of limb injuries, including arm and leg fractures, torn Achilles’ tendons, and ligament and ankle sprains. They discovered that, in all situations, getting active as soon as possible was more beneficial than rest: It decreased pain, swelling and stiffness, and preserved a greater range of joint motion. Most important, perhaps, the study found that patients got better faster and returned to work up to 60% sooner than those who were immobile.

Also, contrary to what some doctors believe, early mobilization did not cause further damage, deformity (where the limb didn’t heal properly) or residual symptoms.

Activity has such positive effects because it increases blood circulation, researchers say, which in turn reduces muscle atrophy, bone thinning from lack of exercise and joint stiffness. In the study, the patients’ activity levels varied according to the injury but included walking, active exercise and the use of crutches, bandages and other medical equipment that allowed for greater mobility than, say, a cast.

Dr. Chris B. Del Mar, a study coauthor and dean of medicine at Bond University in Queensland, Australia, said the findings provided strong evidence that rest is overused as a treatment. He noted, however, that more research was needed to determine how much exercise is optimal for people with limb injuries.

The study appeared in the September 2004 issue of the Journal of Family Practice.