Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Sudeck Atrophy) Prevention Possibility and Accelerated Recovery in Patients with Distal Radius at the Typical Site Fracture Using Polarized, Polychromatic Light Therapy

Abstract

Objective: Distal radius fracture (DRF) is one of the most frequent population fracture mostly affecting women, and frequently leading to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Management of DRF and CRPS in gerontology is complex. The aim was to evaluate the use of polarized, polychromatic, low-energy light therapy combined with conventional treatment after DRF in gerontology and to follow up patients for CRPS emergence. Materials and methods: After plaster removal, female patients (n = 52) were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 26) was treated with exercises and cryotherapy on the wrist and dorsal hand (control). Group 2 (n = 26) was additionally treated with light therapy (Bioptron). Results: While pain decreased and supination and pronation improved in all patients after 15 days of therapy, pain reduction was accelerated and supination enhanced in the light therapy-treated group (p < 0.05). None of the patients in the light therapy-treated group developed CRPS during the 6-month follow-up, compared with four patients (15.4%) in the control group (p < 0.05). Complete hand fist-forming capacity was achieved in 19 patients (73.1%) in the light therapy-treated group compared with 16 patients (61.5%) in the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Bioptron light therapy combined with conventional therapy improves patient outcome after DRF in gerontology, compared with conventional treatment alone. © Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2019.