Improving Elbow Extension after Fracture and Surgery | Tim Keeley | Physio REHAB

[@katiemoore248]

Thanks! I dislocated and broke my elbow on May 16th. I've been given some physio exercises from the hospital in Melbourne to do at home. But all it does is result in muscle pain around the joint. I'm not quite ready to go through the full manipulation of the joint process with the physio yet, it's just too painful. So hearing that it's normal and it's OK to take it at my own pace is a relief. I've felt a lot of pressure to get on with it, when all I want to do at the moment is massage the joint and extend it gently. I hope I can get the full extension of my arm again one day. I don't want it to be like this for the rest of my life.

[@physiorehab]

I hope it goes well for you and you can get That extension back

[@Patriciakrishna]

how is your arm after 3 months?

[@MegaLotusEater]

How was your recovery?

[@andreamaejaro]

Any updates?

[@mikicaau9935]

I'm second week after my elbow surgery. Doing daily exercise to straighten my movement again.. My exercise hurts but I'm not giving up as I can't wait to get my full movement back.

[@physiorehab]

Hope you get it all Back 🤞

[@Larrypint]

How is it now?

[@aryungurueva4083]

How is your elbow now? Have you got the full range of motion?

[@lilrewb4646]

did you get your range of motion back

[@icedmakeup5901]

Excelent!

[@MH-cw6qn]

The only way i got both my arms to straighten out was extremely painful long term dumbbell in hand and arm flat on the bench and then grit ur teeth and let it stretch ,i also use hot packs at the same time, i stretch for 30 secs and 1/2 curl and then repeat until pain so much i cant do anymore and it the only thing that has worked.

[@godson2939]

I couldn’t get my ful rom back sadly

[@thehuge0]

This is bizarre - I once met Seb while camping in Sydney's Blue Mountains. Now through pure coincidence I arrive at this video after suffering the same fracture and surgery myself, also due to a bike crash. Small world!

[@physiorehab]

Awesome! But not your fracture. Hope it’s going ok

[@thiago42488]

pp

[@fantafrags6973]

I watch this a week after surgery and she scares the crap out of me! 🤣

[@Cosmo-sc6]

I haven’t had occupational therapy & can’t even get close to opening my arm as much as he can. It’s so painful.

[@shleyt5830]

It takes a lot of work and exercises but you can get it back and if not get very close. Don’t give up!

[@physiorehab]

Perhaps seek some physiotherapy

[@darrensmith9182]

It would be really handy if you included some time frames with these stretches such as how many weeks after surgery you would progress to witch stretch ive had a radial head replacement and dont want to do to much until i know its right to do so cheers

[@physiorehab]

Hi Darren these happen around 10-12 weeks and only after you have clearance from surgeon for resisted exercises

[@pissant7867]

That's exactly what I wanted to know. Just had elbow surgery a couple weeks ago. Frustrating

[@markw8139]

Super helpful! I had surgery and a pin inserted into my Ulna about 4-5 weeks ago after a fall from my bike. Following this although under guidance of my physio I'm using very lightweight as early days ( weight of a glass of water literally to try to get range of motion back, laying down with elbow to extension/flexion). I'm guessing it's dependent on pain tolerance ... Mines still a little painful and only getting to about 10-15 degrees off straight and flexion is still limited also.. Just need to be patient

[@spandangle334]

Im 7 months in mate ..done the same had a plate and 7 i think pins ... it feels weird at 1st but it does come back ... iv been back in the gym training pushing weights for 3 or 4 months ... my strength is now pretty much the same as my good arm ..im curling nearly the same weight as i was before ... iv had no physio and told the drs on both my check ups 🤷‍♂️ they just said their chase it up so i just thought sod waiting around so did it myself .. im still hopping to here from them though to see if they can help me get the last 10° of range ie straighten my arm completely ... hows yours now its been 2 months since your comment mate ???

[@CD-rt7ec]

Omg, as one that has been through similar PT. That looks so painful

[@bhargavimn9932]

How are u doin now

[@williamward7801]

Such a brilliant channel. Thank you!

[@physiorehab]

Cheers 👍🙏

[@surajkumardas221]

How much time required for this patient after surgery for this amount of range of motion

[@coreyfearing7854]

Thanks I’ll give these a shot. I dislocated my elbow on 4th of July and can’t extend my elbow fully or curl fully but my forearm muscle is super tight/sore and won’t let me extend it all the way I know it’s early but I’ll give these a shot

[@BeGrizzlyStrong]

Go slow. I've had similar issues.

[@coreyfearing7854]

@@BeGrizzlyStrong definitely my doctor wants me to do a month of PT to be monitored professionally and see an orthopedic. So we’ll see.

[@BeGrizzlyStrong]

@@coreyfearing7854 PT should be enough. 4-6 weeks. Ortho tried to say I had arthritis and nothing I could do. MRI eventually showed no arthritis. A good PT is worth their weight in gold. I've lost trust in most other doctors.

[@physiorehab]

Hope it helps!

[@clementmarton230]

Thanks alot I have the same problem.

[@shleyt5830]

To future people that break their elbows. Look into the joint active systems splint. Super helpful for getting my degrees back! Wish I had known about it sooner

[@andrewpaschall8992]

How fast did it work for you? I'm seeing a lack of progress with at home stretches.

[@victorkiplangat4545]

I've tried to purchase the Joint active system splint but it is really difficult.

[@Shrimping]

I’ve got the same hardware in my arm, just 9 pins/screws in mine. Coming up on 5 months and some days I’d rather have lost the arm entirely and then I remember how bad it was when I couldn’t even flex enough to scratch my nose.

[@markozivanic5813]

I am 4 weeks post OP very similar injury and still wearing a sling. Hopefully you recover quickly, i am very concerned not making a full recovery.

[@Shrimping]

@@markozivanic5813 you’ll get there. I’m only missing a few degrees on the extension. I mostly get some pain and discomfort around the points where the triceps and tendons were reattached. It’s all relative and nothing compared to the immediate post op.

[@markozivanic5813]

@@Shrimping Thank you. Reason behind my concern is for my job I have to pass fitness test to be able to keep working also fire a gun with my non dominant hand. My job gives you 6 weeks to recover and if you are unable to fulfill the requirements i might get booted lol. BTW i got hit by a car on a bicycle that is how i suffered my injuries.

[@Shrimping]

@@markozivanic5813 I fell/flew down a flight of stairs, my elbow exploding saved the rest of me. You should focus on your grip strength and go full on with supplements. Very high EPA fish oil is a must.

[@physiorehab]

Hope your rehab is going well

[@whatsyourexcuse927]

I fractured my radial head but the pain is in my wrist and hand (no grip strength). It's hard to put my hand on the ground but dammit, I'm going to get my mobility back.

[@physiorehab]

Hope you go well with this

[@linas6295]

Hi, how is your mobility now, after 7 months?

[@whatsyourexcuse927]

@@linas6295 I'm not normal. Dr. told me to work through the pain so when I finally got to PT they told me I was virtually good and surprised that I was able to get the majority of my ROM back by myself. Today is all good excepted chin-ups still bother me a little but I work through that and the scar tissue makes my elbow lock once in a while. Nothing a good pop doesn't fix.

[@wayneronnie7402]

@@whatsyourexcuse927 i have a radial head fracture since 2 weeks.. still 30 degrees away from a straight arm. how long did your straigh arm take?

[@whatsyourexcuse927]

@@wayneronnie7402 once my doc gave me the green light, I was super aggressive with my stretching. The hardest part was supination and pronation. Theraputty and workout bands to build strength and stretch.

[@Илья-е8г2к]

Tim, thanks for the tutorial video. please tell me how much time passed after the operation before you started rehabilitation.

[@physiorehab]

He had the plates removed and then we started 2 weeks after

[@Илья-е8г2к]

@@physiorehab thank you very much!

[@ihorzakharchenko1485]

Thanks for the video! After my surgery I have been training hard for the last 6 months to get my movement back. Now I have full flexion, supination and pronation but my extension is not how it used to be. My surgeon told me I have 0 degrees already but my healthy arm is really flexible and has about -5 degrees of hyperextension. Hope I can get them back with your exercises

[@itbegilberto8014]

It took 6 months for full motion !? Shit dude I’m on 3 months without my cast I still don’t have flexibility in it yet

[@ihorzakharchenko1485]

@@itbegilberto8014 I know it sucks a lot. It also depends on the trauma you had. In my case the injury was quite bad but through hard work I fully regained the healthy ROM. All the movements are how they used to be except the extension. I measured it with a physiotherapist and it turned out that my healthy arm has -10 degrees and the injured one about -5. It is healthy already but I can't get used to this and want my flexibility back. But in my case I still have the metal plate on the olecranon and I feel like the movement stops at the point when the plate doesn't fit to go any further. I will remove it in 2 months and will see whether I can finally get those last degrees.

[@victoriandrico342]

@@ihorzakharchenko1485 Hello! I'm so glad you were able to regain almost full range of motion! Two months ago I dislocated my elbow, I am undergoing a lot of rehabilitation, but the gain in movement is very slow, I recovered a lot of flexion, but I gained little in extension, what exercises did you do during your treatment?

[@ihorzakharchenko1485]

@@victoriandrico342 Check the channel Virtual hand care

[@aryungurueva4083]

​@@ihorzakharchenko1485 вы удалили пластину? Как сейчас рука?

[@method2madness762]

Is there a surgery or procedure to regain full range of extension?

[@physiorehab]

There are MUA (manipulation under a aesthetic) but you would still need to do this work.

[@amineelhamri]

Please how do your patient managed the unbearable bone friction pain?

[@physiorehab]

He didn’t have that

[@attaurrehman6059]

i had fired with bullet. in my arm plates are fixed along with screw yet these are not removed how can i do exercis my arm is not staright but it is bent yet

[@physiorehab]

Have you tried this exercise?

[@paulmcauliffe6326]

How long after surgery is this video? When should this type of physio be started?

[@physiorehab]

Everyone is different depends on the surgery - check with your physio

[@angelicacarrillo]

Hi, Olecranon ORIF Surgery on Februry 1, 2022. i'm already 3 month and a half and i still not having full extension. In the first month I reached the greatest extension, now my arm feels very stiff and I feel that I have not gain any additional extension. The plate that they placed to fix my bone is further back (it is not attached to the bone) it rests on the tricep, I don't know if this is affecting me because I try to straighten my arm and I can't.

[@physiorehab]

Have you tried this ?

[@pissant7867]

How is your flexion?

[@Marcus-up5wk]

Awesome..Thanks

[@lipideb5391]

Sir..its been 3 months i broke my humerus piece of elbow joint ...not getting full movement and cause my doctor didnt recommend any physiotherapist...i am doing all alone.. tell me how can i get back my full motion

[@physiorehab]

Try this exercise?!

[@adilamajeed6763]

Hello, My mother is 57 years old, She recently had elbow surgery, having multiple bone fractures, Now she is visiting physiotherapist, can she do this exercise?... please guide, it has been a month now.

[@physiorehab]

Hard to say without assessing it. If the physio so doing the same mobilisation then she should be able to do the stretches as well

[@kimberlysmith8960]

I broken ulna & radial bones and shattered elbow. Have metal plate, 8 screws and replaced radial head. Physical therapy and 5 months later, still have very limited use. Can’t turn arm and hand up and elbow is locked in placed any suggestions?

[@physiorehab]

That’s tough and a big surgery. Keep working on the stretching and don’t give up

[@bilalamin273]

What the surgery happened a few years back like 7-8 ...can that patient improves the range of motion?

[@Lasertopiaza]

I have compartment syndrome and my hand is not straight i broke my hand where i had surgery done. Will i be able to regain my full extension?

[@rahaffaoury5758]

Very helpful thank you

[@physiorehab]

😄

[@JAM0LO]

Would exercises like this help with regaining mobility 15+ years after an injury? I've always had some slightly limited range of motion, after a childhood elbow break/surgery. I'm about 5 degrees off of reaching 0.

[@physiorehab]

You can only but try!

[@lukehermida9331]

I fractured my elbow by simply tripping and falling back onto it. I'm starting physio on Friday, tomorrow, and i'm worrried its gonna hurt (I know it is). I have an eight to ten centimetre crack running from my elbow joint down to my humerus (my humerus was still in place after the accident which delayed my surgery until the next full week after the accident because I was a low priority. I had the surgery on the 19th of December (I think), and now one plate and a few screws later i'm starting physio and HELLA scared of the pain especially since my body doesn't respond to pain killers other than a lot of morphine or something that focuses my mind like tobbacco (I don't actually smoke im just giving an example) because i am the most accident prone person in the WORLD.

[@AletaNorris]

How did your recovery go for you?

[@OdeyaChannel]

Urghh! I dislocated and fractured my elbow due to VA. 1 month and 10 days post op and was advised to do 8 sessions of therapy, twice a week. Had 2 sessions already. Gosh! 100/10 so painful that I almost scratch and kick my PT 😩 long way to go but I can see some improvements already. I am working so hard at home, no other choice but to endure the pain of stretching and strengthening - to get back range of motion - soon!

[@andreamaejaro]

How’s your range of motion now?

[@kumarathasthillepan]

I had surgery 3 months ago I can't get full extension yet , my elbow feel weak. When I try flexion it extremely pain full. Any advice for me

[@physiorehab]

Have a chat to your physio about doing these exercises

[@5hillscrossfit]

What if I lost extension and flexion due to surgery could I possibly get it back ?

[@physiorehab]

You just have to start and try

[@_Stolen_hearts_]

hi sir.. god bless you and your family, your video have given me a lot of improvement, in just 10 days after my cast was removed, my elbow had been dislocated past 1 month. I had started following your videos, I’m doing this flexion and extension exercise twice a day daily, and my elbow is bit swollen, is it normal?? Or should I take a break from my exercise???

[@physiorehab]

Perhaps once a day and do every 2nd day

[@jpa4197]

I broke my radial head and dislocated at the same time, got fragments of bones due to broken bone because it was shattered. Had to have an implant. Now im doing physiotherapy. It is really nice to see very informative session. Thank you for your service.

[@QuotesDawson]

Same thing happened to me a month ago. Have you got your ROM back?

[@andreamaejaro]

How’s your ROM now?

[@andreamaejaro]

@@QuotesDawsonhow about youu, how’s ur ROM now?

[@joanneharwood9510]

I'm one year post injury and surgery, just had implant removed and release of scar tissue - hoping for more extension and less pain esp when swimming and biking. Wondering how you are doing now?

[@babarazam1165]

Can this exercise be done if u still have kwire inside of you please explain 🙏

[@physiorehab]

Ask your surgeon first

[@bran1113]

I had a radial head replacement a few years back and neglected to maintain my therapy, is it possible to start working my arm and getting more of my rom back at this point?

[@physiorehab]

You can certainly try!

[@aditika682]

Will mild stretching help becoz there is a plate fixation. Please guide

[@physiorehab]

Not exactly sure what question you are asking there

[@matthiasrossi7607]

One more time, a really helpfull video for clinical practice. Thanks a lot!

[@physiorehab]

😄

[@timperleyboxing9355]

Great 👍

[@shahkaarkareem2466]

Are these effective for a 9 years old child with Supracondylar fracture surgery?

[@kashif_iftekhar]

I broke my radial head of the elbow joint about 9 years ago and did not go for physiotherapy. To this day, I can't supinate my arm in the extended position. Will physiotherapy help after all these years?

[@physiorehab]

Should help plus the rehab work

[@bhargavimn9932]

Y dont ppl reply about thier recovery

[@deannerivett6264]

I had unla nerve decompression in march. 6days later fell onto both arms in a FOOSH. Taken to hosp. Agony pain. Discharged self to a priority care as 4.5hrs later still no pain relief or xray. Xray next morn apparently ok. 4wks of trying to use it. I had a CT a wk ago and they diag a radial head fracture. So the pain I had was real and a genuine cause. I'm 5 or so wks on and the pain is still shocking but I don't know if decompression surgery or fracture. I can't extend properly. I trialed physio but we didn't know fractured so now waiting for healing a bit more before go back at their suggestion. What kind of time frame can I expect? I am desperate for a gd night sleep. Pain is bad despite a gd threshold usually.

[@physiorehab]

6 weeks healing and pain should be a tonne better

[@barodi3069]

how many months post operation is the patient currently in the video?

[@robwolfe6120]

There was a comment above from the channel host: "these happen around 10-12 weeks and only after you have clearance from surgeon for resisted exercises"

[@kaustavthakurele]

Sir which takes time more extension or flexion after elbow surgery

[@xyzpo]

I had dislocation in my elbow ten yrs back, and it is now stepped at 20degree , can it be back , plz tell me exercises

[@physiorehab]

You watched the video right?

[@xyzpo]

@@physiorehab yes

[@suzannefrance6659]

at about 8 minutes some exercise bands are used , which make or what strength should I buy?

[@physiorehab]

Powerbands? Check out one of our latest videos on which powerband to use. They are available at our online shop at shop.physiorehab.com

[@maxfun4751]

Can we do this exercise after 3 months of surgery?

[@physiorehab]

As long as you have Clearance from surgeon to do resistance strengthening

[@ShahidSofi-pv4nu]

How many days after the surgery should i start therapy. My elbow was put in extension with slab right after the surgery, so how i fold it back.plz help me

[@ioanagb11]

Depending on medical advice, you could start 6-8 weeks after surgery.

[@physiorehab]

Be guided by your therapist of when to start loaded exercise

[@spandangle334]

How long after his surgery until he started this physio ?? I had surgery for almost exact same injury16 days ago with same plate just one extra screw lol my cast came off couple days ago and movement is very limited ..is still swallen sore but very stiff I can't move it upwards past elbow at right angle and can only move it downwards ( to straighten ) about halfway from the right angle to being straight so if that makes sense

[@pissant7867]

I was told yesterday to massage around surgical site and that will improve ROM

[@spandangle334]

So iv still not seen a physio ..iv had 2 check ups and exrays but no physio but iv done my own physio .... iv bern back i the gym for about 3 or 4 months pushing decent weights again but i can get a decent pump in my tricep as im stuck at about 15°-20° so its really pissing me off as thats the really important to be able to straighten ya arm when training and plus i box but cant throw a correct jab ... it gets a little stiff and sore at times mostly after riding a bike... dr said they take the plate out after 12 to 18 months so that will be november 23 - may 24 ... Im hoping that its the L shape of the plate at the elbow joint thats stopping the last bit of range ..has anyone else ecperienced the same ???? P.s for any new people going through this and your scared that you only have a tiny bit of range ...dont worrry it does come back witj some stretching for few weeks 💪💪💪 its a reall weird a scary feeling thinking your be stuck like it but you wont 💪💪💪💪

[@bhargavimn9932]

So how did flexion go

[@jessiescarlettrichardson3113]

This videos brilliant! I'm 6 months since surgery and not yet able to fully extend to 0 but very close and my tricep muscle is very weak. I have wires and pins in still and think the pins and wires need to be removed because I feel like the hook part of the pin when I straighten my arm is poking into the muscle just above the elbow which is of course very sensitive! Is it likely to get a better range of movement once metal is removed and is it more common to have the metal taken out and have better results for rehabilitation on the elbow?

[@physiorehab]

Our patient has had all the metal work removed in this video

[@amanullahhassanzada]

Should we do this once the bones is fully healed or right after. I had elbow dislocation and I had hairline fracture on radial head. Am I able to do this after 2/3 weeks

[@madhukanthadasa1152]

My elbow got broken into 30 pieces or more. Had a 5 hour operation, 2 plates inserted, about 3 weeks ago. Casting and bandage has been removed. Could you please give me advice on how to go about my recovery? 🙏🏻 PS. Cannot lift my fingers or hand anymore, grip is still functioning but fingers are very stiff.

[@physiorehab]

We would have to do a Telehealth consult for that. Have a look at physiofitness.com.au/telehealth

[@johnkef2961]

Can I fix it 11 years after surgery

[@physiorehab]

Tough one. Maybe some soft tissue you can improve still

[@daprimo00]

what about for flexion? my cast fue to radial head injury just got removed 2 days ago and my elbow is really stiff.

[@physiorehab]

Flexion will come with time. Focus on extension first

[@maxkell223]

I fractured my right elbow in 2016 but the physio wasn’t able to straighten my arm fully to the extent of my left, is it too late to be able to achieve full extension? as I’m suffering with it when working out

[@physiorehab]

You can only but try.

[@WithAllDueRespectFOH]

4:43

[@rimpisoni8639]

I have an humorous 1/3 damaged and I had gone through a surgery about 3 weeks ago with 2 plates inserted also. I am doing exercise daily but till today I can't get my full extention ... does my full extention will be back or not ?

[@physiorehab]

It can but doesn’t depend on the fracture sites

[@markachol6307]

Isn't it painful or how long should the exercise start after surgery.

[@physiorehab]

Be guided by your surgeon

[@billfleming4370]

I have tendon shortage in the elbow and havent been able to extend my arms for some time now. Would these exercises still help with my elbow flexibility and mobility? thanks

[@physiorehab]

Sure. Try the latest video too

[@charliedoell2446]

I have the identical scar on my left elbow after surgery in 1992. I still cannot fully extend. Standard push-ups are impossible. Can I ever fix this??

[@physiorehab]

Hard to say without an assessment. Bit to be honest That’s a long time ago…

[@pissant7867]

When should the flexion start to improve?

[@physiorehab]

Depends on how long it’s been affected

[@Gknet786]

Saying is very easy but if you doing it's very hard

[@physiorehab]

Keep trying! 👍

[@mikehoncho2900]

I didn’t have elbow surgery but after hyper extending a punch, months later I have lack of extension in my elbow with no pain but when I try gaining full extension I get shocks in the elbow. Is this just a case of slowly trying to get full extension daily?

[@physiorehab]

Yep just start with it and seek physio advice if it’s not working for you

[@surajkumardas221]

95 days after elbow surgery my range of motion is 22° to 124° only...

[@physiorehab]

Have a try of this exercise

[@gautamikamble5738]

like video

[@physiorehab]

👍

[@jessiescarlettrichardson3113]

This videos brilliant! I'm 6 months since surgery and not yet able to fully extend to 0 but very close and my tricep muscle is very weak. I have wires and pins in still and think the pins and wires need to be removed because I feel like the hook part of the pin when I straighten my arm is poking into the muscle just above the elbow which is of course very sensitive! Is it likely to get a better range of movement once metal is removed and is it more common to have the metal taken out and have better results for rehabilitation on the elbow?

[@soldier8685]

Same question