Distal radius fractures are the most common fracture seen in emergency departments. They are predicted to increase over the coming decades. Medical management is usually conservative casting, which immobilises the wrist in a flexed, pronated, and ulnar deviated position, for up to six weeks often resulting in wrist pain and stiffness especially into supination and extension.

There is limited evidence that joint mobilisation after removal of the cast can improve outcomes. One drawback of joint mobilisations is that they rely on a trained clinician to deliver them. 'Mobilisation with movement' (MWM) is a manual therapy technique that can be self-applied, thereby engaging the patient in recovering wrist and hand function.