Elbow Arthroscopy

General Notes: 
  • No activity should cause sharp pain during the exercise or a significant increase in pain afterwards. “As tolerated” means that all prior phases and steps have been achieved and that the activity does not cause pain.
  • Ice should be applied to the elbow for 20 minutes following each exercise, therapy, or training session.
  • All times and exercises are to serve as guidelines. Actual progress may be faster or slower, depending on each individual patient, as agreed upon by the patient and his/her team of providers
     

Phase I: Weeks 0-1

Brace: 
  • None, utilize sling for comfort
Therapeutic Exercises: 
  • Finger, hand and wrist motion encouraged

Phase II: Weeks 2-4

Brace: 
  • Discontinue sling as tolerated.
ROM (range of motion) Goals:
  • Active (your muscle causes movement) and active assisted (surgical arm gets help moving) to regain elbow ROM; regain full extension, flexion, pronation, supination as tolerated.
Therapeutic Exercises: 
  • Strengthening: formal strengthening will begin when full ROM has been re-established
  • Core Strengthening: may be initialed as tolerated, non-weight bearing upper extremities 
  • Conditioning: stationary bike, elliptical may be initiated as tolerated 

Phase III: Week 5-8

ROM (range of motion) Goals:
  • Full ROM
Therapeutic Exercises: 
  • Strengthening: resistance exercises allowed as tolerated, in all planes
  • Core Strengthening: continue with core strengthening 
  • Conditioning: as tolerated; upper extremity weight-bearing activities 

Phase IV: Weeks 9 - Beyond

Therapeutic Exercises: 
  • Strengthening: upper body plyometric activities may be added in slowly after full ROM and strength have been regained
  • Conditioning: progress as tolerated 
  • Throwing rehabilitation: interval throwing may begin after full ROM and strength have been gained

Phase V: Return to Play

Final clearance for full, unrestricted return to play will be determined by the medical provider (physician, physician assistant)