Exercises to Do Following an Elbow Fracture

TimeStamps
00:00 Start
03:16 PROM first! Elbow Flexion - PROM
04:04 Elbow Extension - PROM
05:01 Elbow Supination & Pronation- PROM
08:42 Elbow Pronation & Supination - Band
09:46 Eccentric Elbow Extension - Band
11:06 General Median Nerve Glide and why!
14:23 End
Rehab following an elbow fracture can feel extremely taxing but with consistency and hard work you can get better, just ask Kirsten! Join Arash and Kirsten as Kirsten shares a bit about her experience with her elbow fracture and Arash walks us through some of our favorite exercises to perform to help get you get after it!
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[@youphototube]

Thank you. Broke my Olecranon and had it tension wired 14 days ago. Plaster off yesterday. It was inspiring hearing your recovery story. I am going to crack on with my range of motion exercises today after my pain meds kick in. Stuck at about 110° extension and flexion, got a way to go.

[@cindykuhn-chuang1851]

OMG! My injury 11 weeks ago was almost as bad as yours. Your recovery really encourages me! Thanks for sharing the experience! I’m impressed that after 3 months of the surgery you could do the cobra- upper dog posture already. My wrist causes me the most pain right now, the hand is still swollen. A lot of yoga on all fours I cannot do anymore. Happy to share is, since two days I can almost tie my hair again, with pain though, but it’s a progress!

[@ThePrehabGuys]

That's amazing! So glad to hear you are doing well! Keep after it! Consistency is key, we are rooting for you!

[@stevenwheelock4104]

I didn’t need surgery. I was non-displaced. I’m on week 6 , seeing if I get the video to start putting up more weight and getting my strength back .

[@paqokpaqokaj1252]

Same here did you fully recover?

[@x-train]

Me too. A non displaced fracture of the left radius. Thankfully I only spent a week with a splint. I got most of my range of motion, working on supination

[@sharonlong8177]

Hi Can these exercises assist with my tendinitis? Many thanks for the video, very informative 😊

[@sandyt8981]

Three weeks out from a non-displaced radial head fracture. Pronation and supination are my challenges; everything else has come back pretty well. Closing the refrigerator door makes my forearm hurt and I definitely can't lift anything even slightly heavy. Thank you for this video; it's very helpful. I just wish this hadn't happened to my dominant arm and hand!

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Glad you enjoyed the video and keep up with it! Consistency can be key here in continuing to improve your mobility!

[@axelparedes4111]

Same here sandy, any exercise after two weeks of surgery?

[@geethalokre1303]

Same here .3 month's. Pronation and supernation. Having a rough time.

[@jermainewilliams4057]

Can you do therapy after surgery if they don’t put plate in the elbow?

[@kaustavthakurele]

Sir without head redius elbow can work proper or not because my head of redius from elbow has removed now can I work like before

[@Lelolai]

Hello! How many flexion and extension sets and repetitions daily?Terrible triad here. Pressing through the pain. Is daily stretching indicated or do I need resting days?

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Hey there - this can somewhat vary person to person but generally starting with 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps 3-4x/week can be a good start for resistance training. For mobility work, trying to do it consistently will help with this!

[@markhancock7527]

I'm 8 weeks now still have pain,went on a 30 mile bike ride a few days again,arm was stiff & weak after for a day.Been back working too for Four weeks i drive lorries & do a bit of lifting when loading them. I'm still getting pain in the elbow i had a fracture but its wasn't operated on,I've been doing the exercises here every day.

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Consistency is key! Be sure that you are respecting that tissue healing time as well! Also, would recommend checking out our Hand, Wrist and Elbow programs through our app if you feel you need a bit of extra guidance with your rehab! bit.ly/tryprehabYT

[@Mopantsu]

Two weeks post olecranon plate fixation surgery (6 days after accident in plaster cast and two weeks more of cast). Supplination and pronation seem good. Extension also not far off from prior. Flexion is my biggest issue. It is so stiff bending towards my chest, shoulder, head etc. I realize it is early days but is there anything to help loosen the skin on the elbow once the wound is fully healed? Lotions to make it more supple perhaps? I understand that the ligaments and collagen can have issues sliding over the plate as well as other issues that may require further surgery to free the joints. Hoping I can get most ROM back using these exercizes though!

[@chrism880]

Im 5 weeks post displaced olecranon fracture and radius fracture. Started range of motion physical therapy. Worked 6 days with it broken. Had splint from ER. but dr office took it off and didn't put it back on to wait for surgery so it was hell working after surgery person who put splint on should be fired it wasn't done right gouged side and back elbow. It hurts bad at night but hoping it gets better

[@pbbrown-lott9105]

@@chrism880how everything thing going

[@jennilthiyam980]

after surgery its four weeks, now i cannot stretch my hand in its full length and cannot pull up (towards soulder) in its full length. Doctor suggested to perform elbow joint exercise, i am doing it but cannot do it like what he did to me because of pain. i will try to keep doing it at my best. What i just want to know is my hand going to stuck in this posture after the bone is healed? will I be able to stretch and pull up my hand in its full capacity like before?

[@taluchozil5195]

i got the injury in june 2022....my left hand(broken one) seems smaller than the other hand.....still o didn't get full range motion of elbow....i try to do some exercises but it didn't work...even the two hands dont look the same....please help me...what should i do?

[@bayatifans]

I have a very limited movement in my elbow can you please advise what can i do

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Consistency is key with mobility exercises - start with working through what range you do have an stick with it! Seeing if you notice improvement! We also have our Elbow, Wrist and Hand Rehab program through the app if interested! Would recommend taking a peek at it! bit.ly/tryprehabYT

[@abrahamkhan5518]

​@@ThePrehabGuys my elbow joint is jammed I can't move it

[@Kimberlena]

The challenge for me is to remember to relax my shoulder consistently throughout the exercises.

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Consistency is key, keep working on it!

[@flynn1a]

Thanks for this comment. I’ll be starting PT next week. I’ll remember to watch my shoulder tension.

[@Kimberlena]

@@flynn1a Best wishes in your recovery.

[@chrisballo]

I broke my femur two years ago put a rod and screws in there. How come it doesn’t hurt as much when I dislocated and broke my elbow October 5, 2023. I also had c1-c7 in 6-19-2014

[@tammyjenkins730]

Hello. I have plate and screws for radial and ulna head fracture. my dr told me i wont get full supination unless i remove plate. i made more progress than expected but my wrist doesn't turn all the way. what can i expect for healing if i have plate and screws removed? thank you.

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Hey thanks for reaching out! It's hard to say without a thorough evaluation of where you are at right now but you can likely expect to gain a bit more motion if you have the hardware removed. Chat with your care team about what is the best option for you moving forward!

[@bhaveshdave5643]

how can i contact for your personal experience slightly more in detail. i underwet surgery got plates and screw installed and need guidance.

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Reach out to us via our website!theprehabguys.com/

[@Sam808Sch]

I have a similar injury as Kirsten. After two months I still have finger and hand swelling. Is that normal?

[@ThePrehabGuys]

It certainly can be, chat with your primary care physician if symptoms worsen!

[@user-dc6uh7nb9r]

I just took cast off 4 days ago after a plate/pins for olecranon fracture. Watching your video and having someone who has gone thru this just lifts me up..Like Kristen I have been practicing yoga for 20 years, I also swim 2x a week , and bike ride (cause of my accident). Her range of motion gives me something to work towards. I have very good pronation/supination mobility at this point but I have maybe 30% flexion. It feels impossible to bend elbow more and don't want to injure myself. My PT starts next week...I have been doing gentle you -tube videos for beginners..I am determined to do the work...In addition, that she still has the plates in gives me hope...the thought of another surgery is not something I want to contemplate especially at this point. In general, I think swimming will increase mobility...what are your thoughts on this? Thank you! Jaime

[@mgoode180566]

I am in exactly the same position as yourself, its very depressing but watching this really helps, i think its going to be a long road, i have pins and plates 4 weeks ago, cast came off and i was quite shocked, flexion is about the same as yourself

[@user-dc6uh7nb9r]

@@mgoode180566 I am about 5 PT sessions in..that being said I can definitely see improvement with range of motion and strength..it is a slow boat to China..I am feeling less depressed and more optimistic. The Plate feels so weird when I rest my elbow in a position where I’m lying on my back in Bed reading a book..I hate the thought of another surgery but I’m inclined to NOT spend the rest of my life with this. I’m seeing surgeon next week and have many questions..

[@pbbrown-lott9105]

@@mgoode180566how is everythin going far as ROM has it gotten better

[@ratbert69uk]

Can this help after elbow dislocation? I have lost full range.

[@ThePrehabGuys]

The PROM exercises can certainly help with improving range of motion!

[@limisebophani7552]

It's been 1 year 7 months after my elbow fracture but still i can't get full range and its stiff will excercises help?

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Consistency with exercises in regards to mobility is key!

[@isaacmarty1207]

Can these exercises help someone who had elbow fracture8 years ago and hasn’t got the chance of full range of motion( extension,supination and bending of the arm)?

[@ThePrehabGuys]

These could definitely serve a role! The body can do amazing things in time!

[@isaacmarty1207]

@@ThePrehabGuys I can’t get a full range of motion extension,flexion and supination you are saying that if do these exercises my arm can get a full range of motion? I thought that the arm is already chronic (because it has been 8 years) and maybe there is no way out of this?? Please i really need your response and help🙏🏽

[@CindaMurphyRealEstate]

So glad to hear from someone that has actually gone through this! It’s hard to know THE PAIN!!!! It’s insane! I broke of the end of my ulna (olecranon) 4 years ago, got an L shaped plate to hold it together for healing. Terrible tricep tendonitis but I’m working on that. My biggest issue is full extension. That last little bit hurts and once extended, HURTS to flex again. Any idea how long this will take? Just wanna know there’s an end in sight. Really concerned I might need to have the pin removed to get my full extension back 🙁 I

[@ThePrehabGuys]

give this mobility exercise a go to help with extension! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5CooKipg9yHrKc. We definitely recommend seeing a PT if not currently doing so to help determine if there's a mechanical or soft tissue restriction

[@bhargavimn9932]

Hey how are you now

[@aislingsibeallyons3416]

Broke my elbow day before yesterday. Went to hospital. Doc took 8mm blood( liquid) from elbow internsl bleeding .( With syringe) they put a cast on me..... said i might need surgery.... Next day took my cast off ( after one dsy in cast 😮😮😮) now im in soft sling at home doing slow exercise they told me. Because they said if i dont move my elbow it will stay stiff .

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Keeping the elbow moving within guidelines will definitely help prevent it from getting stiff while being immobilized for a certain period of time. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[@sherrypk614]

I have a question. Its been 2weeks since my elbow has been immobilised due to a hairline fracture to the radial head & I have been weight training my other side . Is that ok? Will there be an apparent muscle imbalance? I really miss working out 😢

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Yes always a good idea to stay active within your tolerance, and continue to strengthen the other side! Practicing patience is hard but remember the body can do amazing things in time, you've got this!

[@sherrypk614]

@@ThePrehabGuys Thank you 🙂

[@chrisballo]

I can’t even bend my elbow since October 5, 2023 I have two braces in the store so I’m taking to having a go

[@ThePrehabGuys]

we recommend seeing a PT who can assess the elbow and surrounding structures to provide you with a tailored plan of care!

[@6767kkkk]

In radial head excision, full forearm extension without radial head is possible with normal hand like physiotherapy???

[@ThePrehabGuys]

sorry, do you mind restating your question?

[@y.l.6541]

The guy is hot.!

[@zhabatathefrog]

i just broke and dislocated my shoulder 12 days ago. 5 fractures, no plates, just wires. apparently im gonna have them for 6 more months. when could i potentially go back to normal activity?

[@ThePrehabGuys]

Definitely a conversation worth having with your care team if you haven't already!