1. Rehabilitation of Elbow injuries
Chapter 18

2. Rehabilitation – Acute Phase
Acute Rehabilitation
Goals
Prevent reinjury (immobilization)
Prevent atrophy
Minimize loss of motion
Reduce edema
Control Pain

3. Rehabilitation – Acute Phase
Acute Rehabilitation (While Immobilized)
Exercises
Distally
Gripping
Finger Extension
Wrist FLX / EXT
Proximally
Shoulder AROM
FLX, EXT, ABD, ADD, HABD, HADD

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Rehabilitation – Subacute
Exercises
Isotonic Flexion & Extension
PNF Patterns
Passive, Active, Isometric, Isotonic
Progress through dynamic stability to reactive NMC
D2 Flexion / Extension
D1 Flexion / Extension

9. Rehabilitation – Subacute
Dynamic Stability
Swiss Ball
Medicine Ball
Foam Rollers
Balance Disks
Reactive NMC
Close Eyes

10. Rehabilitation – Functional
Functional – 21+ Days
Goals
Engage in more sport specific or activity specific exercises
Prepare for return to full activity

11. Rehabilitation – Functional
Push-ups
Wall
Ground
Plyometrics
Plyometric Wall
Knee Drop Push-ups
Explosive Push-up
Standing Drops

12. Rehabilitation – Functional
Medicine Ball Strengthening
Catch and Toss
Concentric
Eccentric