Combined occupational therapy treatment techniques in the management of left distal radio-ulnar joint (druj) instability with mal-united distal radius fracture: a case study

Distal Radio-Ulnar Joint (DRUJ) instabilities with or without associated conditions (such as mal- united distal radius fracture) is a common diagnosis in the field of orthopedics. However, few of these cases were referred to occupational therapy unit for post-surgical hand rehabilitation. The main reason for this is unknown but probably because of the scanty evidence to show the impact of various occupational therapy treatment modalities in treating DRUJ instability. As a result, this study intend to report the efficacy of combined occupational therapy (OT) intervention modalities in DRUJ instability by presenting Mr J, a known case of left DRUJ instability (with left mal-united distal radius fractured). He was admitted for k-wire removal after six weeks of K- wire fixation and referred to occupational therapy unit for hand rehabilitation. Having established the problems to be addressed through standardized and non-standardized OT assessments, different OT modalities which address each problems were used in the treatment process. Post treatment assessment during discharge shows a significant improvement despite the short hospital admission period. Therefore the outcome of this case study shows that, using combined OT modalities in DRUJ instability management do have greater impact on patient with DRUJ instabilities with mal-united distal radius fracture.