Physical Therapy for Elbow Range & Function for a Fracture

Your elbow is made up of the two bones of your forearm and the large bone of your upper arm. You can break your elbow either by direct blow or as a result of falling on your arm when your elbow is straight. A fracture of your elbow can result in stiffness, weakness and pain, and can often involve rehabilitative exercises to help restore mobility. Check with your doctor to choose exercises right for your specific condition.

image source

Wrist Flexion and Extension Exercises

These exercises are designed to help restore your ability to bend your wrist up and down following your injury. If you're instructed to add additional resistance to the motion, you can use a can of food or a light dumbbell in your hand. One of the more basic exercises included in these treatments is to sit with your forearm supported by a counter or table. Allow your hand to hang freely over the edge with your palm down. Use the muscles of your forearm to pull your wrist back and lift the weight as high as you can while keeping your forearm firmly on the counter or table. Hold this position for a couple of seconds and then relax. Repeat 10 times. Reverse this motion and allow the weight of the dumbbell to pull your wrist toward the ground as far as it will go. Hold this position for a couple of seconds and repeat for desired reps.

Elbow Flexion/Extension

Like the wrist exercises listed above, these therapeutic exercises are designed to help you regain the ability to freely bend and straighten your elbow. The ability to bend and straighten your elbow is one of the primary reasons for you to undergo physical therapy after an elbow fracture. These exercises include slowly bending and straightening your elbow as far as you can go without serious pain.

Pronation/Supination

These exercises help restore your ability to freely rotate your forearm following your injury and are critical to your ability to return to your previous activity level following your injury. This forearm rotation takes place when you turn your palm up and down, and is necessary when performing many daily tasks. Perform one of the most basic of these exercises by standing with your feet about shoulder-width apart and your hand extended in front of you with your thumb pointing toward the ceiling. as if you were shaking hands. Keep your elbow bent at a 90-degree angle and slowly rotate your forearm until your palm is facing the ground. Hold this position for a second or two, then rotate your arm until your palm is facing the ceiling. Repeat for desired reps.

Biceps and Shoulder Stretches

The biceps stretch exercise helps you regain your ability to completely straighten your elbow while simultaneously helping you stretch your shoulder and the muscles of your upper arm. This exercise is included in your treatment because of the kinetic chain effect that requires you to move adjacent joints when performing many daily tasks. One stretch for your biceps begins with you standing with your shoulders positioned directly over your hips and your arm supported behind your body on a table or counter. The back of your wrist should be in contact with the table or counter. Straighten your elbow as far as you can without serious pain and gently bend both knees to lower your entire body toward the ground while keeping your arm on the table. Continue until you feel a good stretch in your biceps muscle. Hold this position for about 15 seconds and relax. Repeat for desired reps.