A case of distal end radius fracture with pain in the radial region of the right wrist joint when operating the accelerator of a motorcycle

Abstract

We report a case of pain in the radial side of the right wrist joint when operating the accelerator of a motorcycle. The subject was a woman in her 60s with a fracture of the distal end of the right radius. As the pain was caused by abnormal alignment of the handlebar grip, which is a preliminary step in accelerator operation, her evaluation mainly involved postural observation and assessment of the handlebar grip. From the range of motion (ROM) measurement and the results of the alignment abnormality analysis, we deduced that the ROM limitations of forearm pronation and wrist dorsiflexion were causes of the pain. Therefore, physical therapy was performed for extending right forearm pronation and wrist dorsiflexion ROM. The ROM of the pronation angle of the forearm and dorsiflexion angle of the wrist joint improved, the alignment when the handle was gripped improved, and the pain experienced when operating the accelerator disappeared. Regarding pain, it is necessary to take an approach based on the potential influence of other parts as assessed via motion observation and motion analysis, in addition to the influence of the injured site.