Early mobilization and rehabilitation in fractures and orthopaedic conditions.

Many advances have taken place during the past decade in the early mobilization of orthopaedic patients and those with injuries. Light-weight scientific splinting, early rigid fixation with compression plates and nails, and the early mobilization of patients with pathological fractures in neoplastic disease, have meant that these patients can often be mobile in days, and home in a fortnight, instead of spending months languishing in hospital. Scientific treatment of patients with neck and low back pain may similarly minimize chronic disability, while early rehabilitation can enable their early return to employment. It is the purpose of this paper to underline some of the important advances in treatment which have made this possible.