Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) Practice Exam

The most appropriate context for avoiding resistive exercises is typically seen in patients with fractures, particularly in the early stages while healing is occurring. During the acute phase of a fracture, the primary focus is on protecting the injury and promoting healing rather than applying stress through resistive exercises, which could risk aggravation of the injury or delay recovery.

Resistive exercises, which involve applying force against an object or weight, can pose a risk of further injury in these patients as they may strain the healing bone or surrounding tissues. In the case of fractures, it's essential to allow adequate time for the bone to heal before gradually reintroducing resistance in a safe manner.

Post-surgical knee patients may eventually progress to resistive exercises as part of their rehabilitation, once healing is underway. Similarly, individuals with chronic pain might benefit from a carefully monitored rehabilitation program that incorporates strengthening exercises tailored to their condition. Patients in early rehabilitation are often also gradually introduced to resistance training as their stability and control improve. Thus, the caution against using resistive exercises is particularly pronounced in the context of fractures during the initial healing phase.