the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)-Sudeck disease is a frequent complication of a distal radius at the typical site fracture (DRF). Aim of the study was to evaluate the conventional physical agents application alone and combined with light therapy for treatment of distal radius at the typical site fracture and to follow-up patients for the CRPS occurrence in a six months period.

Study comprised 52 female patients with DRF, involved after removing of the plaster and divided into two age-matched groups. Besides identical drug therapy, group 1 was treated with cryotherapy, exercises and group 2 with cryotherapy, exercises and the bioptron (polarized, polychromatic, non-coherent low energy radiation) light on the wrist and dorsal side of the hand. Patients were evaluated at 0, 7 and 15 days for pain [Visual Numerical Rating Scale (VAS)], range of the wrist motion-supination and pronation, and the hand fist forming capacity and followed up for 6 months. Results were analysed by computer statistic programme SPSS 20.0.

Pain was significantly decreased in group 2 at 15th day of therapy. Significant improvement in supination was shown for group 2 on 7th (P=0.019) and 15th day of treatment (P=0.001). Both groups have shown significant improvement in VAS, supination and pronation on 15th day of therapy, as compared to baseline (P=0.000). The complete hand fist forming capacity was achieved in 16 (61.5%) patients in group 1 and 19 (73.1%) in group 2. In a 6 months period of follow-up, CRPS was developed in 4 patients (15.4%) from group 1.

Bioptron light therapy combined with conventional therapy has shown good pain control, significant degree of pain reduction and improvement of the wrist motion range, with no CRPS development within the 6 months period of follow-up. Further studies would be beneficial.