Rehabilitation after a broken elbow

Surgical intervention or rehabilitation after a fracture of the elbow joint is the ability to move the arm again, without restrictions. The advice of doctors agree that for an effective recovery period, it is necessary to use exercise therapy, physiotherapy, and massage. The return of motor activity and functioning of the elbow is possible after 6 to 10 weeks.

Restoration of the elbow joint after a fracture

Damage and violation of the integrity of the articular area on the arm is corrected by fixing the entire surface of the limb with a plaster cast, which leads to stagnant processes inside. Since the arm is motionless, the muscles atrophy, the blood vessels lose their elasticity and become flabby. This means that the restoration of the elbow joint after a fracture must begin as soon as possible. You should remember the advice of doctors that you need to follow so that the period of return of motor activity in the arm is much shorter.

The choice of subsequent therapy and rehabilitation measures depends on the type of injury. Bones can break in the following events:

• There was a fall, the hand was thrown forward, softening the blow, took the weight of the person on itself. As a result, the bones fail and break. When falling, the limb is either straightened or bent at the elbow. In the latter case, the joint and forearm suffer;
• If a blow was struck in the articular region;
• Road traffic accidents are a common cause of broken arms and legs;
• Limb fractures of varying complexity is an occupational disease of athletes. The most dangerous games that provoke a violation of the integrity of the bones. It could be tennis or golf.

Brittle bones are seen in young children and older people with osteoporosis. Then a fracture can form, even with a light blow.

Determining the complexity of damage occurs after examination using X-ray equipment. According to the pictures taken, a diagnosis is made, therapy is prescribed. Displaced fracture of the olecranon, rehabilitation will take longer, since surgery is necessary.

The main manipulations used to restore mobility to the joint are present in therapeutic exercises. As additional activities, physiotherapeutic procedures and massage actions are carried out. Recovery does not happen overnight. When the fixing gypsum is removed, it becomes clear how much the muscular apparatus is weakened, the connective tissues do not fulfill their function.

The load on the injured joint should increase gradually to prevent overload and not provoke re-injury. If during training the patient feels discomfort in the arm, this does not mean that you need to stop exercising. It is worth reducing the intensity of training and continuing to develop the elbow joint after a fracture.

Exercises after plaster removal

When there is a violation of the integrity of the arm in the elbow area, the plaster is worn for at least 10 weeks. Restorative measures begin when the limb is in a fixing bandage. The main load is given to the fingers. To do this, the following exercises are carried out after a fracture of the elbow:

• A piece of plasticine is taken and kneaded;
• Squeeze your fingers together, then spread apart. So repeat several times;
• Clenching and unclenching the fist;
• Try to make a circular motion with each finger. First clockwise, then counterclockwise.

After the plaster cast is removed, the arm may not bend, then the exercises to develop the elbow joint after the fracture are carried out carefully, taking into account the special requirements in this particular case:

• Before classes, a special bandage is put on, which does not allow the arm to unbend much. Due to the restriction of movements, a strong load on the muscles and tendons is prevented, the risk of re-injury is reduced;
• Gymnastics is carried out regularly without pain. There must be a feeling of fatigue;
• Exercises are performed gently and smoothly. Activity in elbow flexion can be shown only 30 days after the cast is removed.

With a severe fracture, there is difficulty in holding objects on weight. The first movements reproduced according to the program of how to develop a hand after a fracture of the elbow joint are aimed at returning the initial functionality and ability to move. The exercise is repeated at least six times. If you feel tired, you can take a short break and continue exercising.

What movements can be performed:

1. Connect your palms together and tilt back and forth;
2. A tennis ball is thrown against a wall and caught by an injured hand;
3. Anti-stress toys are used. By kneading them, the muscles along the entire length of the arm will be trained;
4. Connect your hands to the castle and try to get them behind your head.

Subsequent recovery

Rehabilitation after an elbow fracture will be effective if you conduct classes daily, while not being lazy. The doctor prescribes the necessary procedures, a set of exercises to restore the mobility of the injured arm.

How to develop an elbow joint when the muscular apparatus is a little stronger:

• At the table, place your hands palms down. The surface must be even. Perform movements reminiscent of sorting out small objects. It is carried out slowly, slowly;
• The palms are joined together and tilts are made. A wrist joint is being developed;
• With difficulties in extending the arm, use an exercise with a tennis ball. They throw him against the wall and try to catch him with the developed hand. However, sudden movements are not desirable. Do this three to five times daily;
• The development of the elbow after a fracture is carried out using static stress produced by clenching and unclenching the fist. If the fist does not clench, then in the first stages a simple plasticine is used, kneaded by hand. At the same time, anti-stress toys, which are soft balls, are suitable for these purposes. They are placed in the palm of your hand and squeezed;
• Often the cause of joint immobility is displacement. Then you can develop an elbow after a fracture by rotating two balls.

Physiotherapy activities

The recovery process in the joint area is not limited to carrying out only physiotherapy exercises. It is necessary to carry out additional procedures aimed at accelerating the healing of the fracture from the inside. This applies to physiotherapy, which includes the following procedures:

• Electrophoresis. The drug is applied to pads attached to the electrodes. An electric field is passed through them, forcing the medicine to penetrate deeply and reach its destination. Conducted current has a beneficial effect on the nervous system at the site of injury;
• Baths with the addition of pine essential oil. Promotes healing and relaxation;
• Acupuncture. The procedure is carried out using special needles. By acting on certain biologically active points, blood circulation improves, pain is relieved, the rehabilitation process proceeds faster;
• Therapy with laser equipment. A light flux with a certain wavelength is used, which acts on the damaged area. Relieves pain, accelerates healing.
• Magnetotherapy. The treatment is based on the use of a static magnetic field.

The final choice of procedures that will be effective remains with the doctor. As a rule, to obtain the result of one physiotherapy procedure is not enough. To return motor activity to the joint and functionality without restrictions, it is required to complete a course of activities, up to 12 visits. Only then is it possible for the patient to return to his usual way of life. If the fracture is complex and immobility persists for a long period, then it is recommended to use mud therapy procedures, paraffin heating, and exposure to alternating current. It is also recommended to go to the swimming pool.

A fracture of the elbow joint leads to immobility of the arm. Therefore, a rehabilitation period is needed, capable of restoring the work of the upper limb. Special exercises, the use of physiotherapy procedures, contributes to the speedy return of the elbow to its motor activity. Exercises should be performed slowly, smoothly, avoiding the appearance of pain.