Rehabilitation of Elbow injuries

Chapter 18

Rehabilitation – Acute Phase

Acute Rehabilitation Goals

Prevent reinjury (immobilization) Prevent atrophy Minimize loss of motion Reduce edema Control Pain

Rehabilitation – Acute Phase

Acute Rehabilitation (While Immobilized) Exercises

Distally Gripping Finger Extension Wrist FLX / EXT

Proximally Shoulder AROM

FLX, EXT, ABD, ADD, HABD, HADD

Rehabilitation – Acute Phase

Acute 0-7 Days (w/o Immobilization) Maintain Sling Immobilization Previous exercises Modalities

Ice & IFC Stim before Ther Ex initially Effleurage w/ gravity assist Ice afterwards

Rehabilitation – Subacute

Subacute 7-21 Days Goals

Obtain full ROM Regain

Full Strength Endurance Neuromuscular Control

Note: Pt may be in a brace to prevent EXT

Rehabilitation – Subacute

Active Elbow ROM in Warm W/P Alternate w/ US treatment then stretching

3MHz, 100% Duty Cycle, 1.0 W/cm2, 6mins, 3-4°C increase

Superficial heat w/ Elbow EXT

Rehabilitation – Subacute

Exercises Add Pronation & Supination to wrist

strengthening Isometric Elbow Flexion & Extension

Three separate plainer areas & Pronated, Neutral, Supinated

Basketball Dribble Sets of 30 Seconds to build

muscular endurance Work into wall chest pass

Rehabilitation – Subacute

Exercises Isotonic Flexion & Extension PNF Patterns

Passive, Active, Isometric, Isotonic Progress through dynamic stability to reactive NMC

D2 Flexion / ExtensionD1 Flexion / Extension

Rehabilitation – Subacute

Dynamic Stability Swiss Ball Medicine Ball Foam Rollers Balance Disks

Reactive NMC Close Eyes

Rehabilitation – Functional

Functional – 21+ Days Goals

Engage in more sport specific or activity specific exercises

Prepare for return to full activity

Rehabilitation – Functional

Push-ups Wall Ground

Plyometrics Plyometric Wall Knee Drop Push-ups Explosive Push-up Standing Drops

Rehabilitation – Functional

Medicine Ball Strengthening Catch and Toss

Concentric Eccentric