You have been treated for an injured elbow. You have had a thorough examination and are now considered fit to be discharged. The following exercises will aid your recovery.
If you follow this exercise programme, your injury should heal well and you will be able to return to normal activity as soon as possible. Do the exercises at least 3 times a day, more if you are able.
Start the exercises straight away if you are told you have a soft tissue injury.
Wait 4–5 days if you have been told you have a fractured radial head.
Day 1–3
- Gently bend and straighten your elbow (as much as pain allows) for 2 minutes
- Gently turn your palm up and down (as much as pain allows) for 2 minutes
- Use something such as a stress ball and repeatedly grip and relax your fingers for 2 minutes.
If these exercises are comfortable after 3 days, progress to the next set.
Day 4–14
- Either sitting or lying, bend at the elbow then reach the arm up above your head repeating for 2 minutes
- Lying on your back, hold something such as a broom handle in both hands, and twist your arms side to side for 2 minutes
- Sitting in a chair, hold the injured arm above your head and bend at the elbow moving the hand towards your back, repeat for 2 minutes
When these exercises are comfortable; progress to the next set.
Day 8–21
- Stand with your arm above your head and hand towards your back, push on the back of the elbow until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds, repeat twice
- With a small weight in your hand, straighten your arm out behind you. Repeat 10–15 times
- In a sitting position, raise and lower a small weight above your head. Repeat 10–15 times
- In a sitting position, bend and straighten your elbow with a small weight in your hand. Repeat 10–15 times
At the end of 4 weeks, you should have regained full range of movement in the elbow and be able to push weight through the arm when you get up from sitting.
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