what is the effects of immobilizing?

Question

if someone has a fracture in his humerous and he treat it by immobilizing it for about 2 weeks, what could be to his arm?

Answer 1

Immobilization is the lesser of two evils: sure it sucks to have joint stiffness and muscle atrophy; but you do want the fracture to heal, and that won't happen unless you immobilize!

You will just have to stretch and strengthen once it is safe to do so. BTW, 2 weeks sounds very short for the time needed for a fracture to heal - i hope your doctor says it was enough!

Answer 2

The muscles that aren't used will degenerate rather quickly and you will lose flexibility in the immobilized joints, which is both a mechanical and neurological thing. Don't be alarmed, though, even athletes experience this.

When you get the cast off, start by strengthening the muscle with weight bearing (small!) exercises and with flexibility (range of motion) exercises. You have to retrain your brain, which quickly forgets how to use a muscle that's been "orphaned" (you may exeperience palsy, lack of coordination--a lot or a little, depending on your age, physical health, etc. Do a little every day--or every HOUR!--and "push" yourself: you're starting over from scratch in some ways.

In any event, getting yourself "back to normal" requires work and focus, it won't magically come back to normal. Progress, not perfection; practice makes permanent.

Answer 3

Well I had a severed patellar tendon (kneecap/tendon) and they immobilized it for 6+ weeks with heavy rehab. The chances of me reinjuring my knee were really high (like 50% or something) so they had to keep it immobilized for that time.