Physical therapy is commonly pursued after an elbowfracture.
This can help speed healing and restore therange of motionof the elbow joint.
The bony end of the ulna is called theolecranon process.
Verywell / Mira Norian
This is the bone you feel when you are leaning your elbow on a table.
The bones of the elbow are connected byligamentson the inner and outer parts of your arm.
The most common cause of an elbow fracture is trauma to your arm near your elbow.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
These injuries tend to happen suddenly.
A blunt force impact can fracture one of the following bones:
Compound fracturesand dislocations can also occur.
A fracture with dislocation is especially problematic, causing long-term pain and stiffness.
Moreover, many people will develop excessive bone growth (calledossification) and a loss of joint mobility.
While your elbow heals, it is important to keep it from getting too stiff or weak.
If the fracture is severe, your surgeon may recommend anopen reduction internal fixation (ORIF).
During this surgical procedure, the bones are manually realigned.
Screws, plates, or wires are inserted to hold the bones in place.
After your elbow fracture is reduced, you may need to wear a brace or a sling.
Occasionally, an elbow fracture will be put in a cast.
With that said, immobilizing an elbow fracture can be extremely risky.
This is because it may lead to severe stiffness and a permanent loss of joint mobility.
Sometimes, this stiffness persists long after the bones have healed.
To prevent this, your healthcare provider may have you startphysical therapysoon after the injury.
Your physical therapist will work with you to help you regain normal use of your elbow and arm.
They may use many differentphysical therapy treatmentsto help you quickly return to normal activity.
The elbow is a complex joint that allows you to bend your arm or turn your hand over.
To regain normal use of your arm, you need full ROM of the elbow and forearm.
As a rule, the early introduction of ROM therapy achieves better and faster results.
Those who delayed physical therapy needed 17 days of therapy versus 6.5 days for those who started early.
If your ROM loss is severe, your physical therapist may have you wear a dynamic splint.
This is a spring-loaded splint worn throughout the day.
It provides a low-load stretch to your elbow joint to help improve your ROM.
The splint can be used to improve the bending and straightening of your elbow.
Wearing a sling can also limit the use of your elbow, wrist, and hand.
If you have had an ORIF, the muscles around the surgical incision may need time to heal.
Your physical therapist can also teach you theproper way to wear your slingand can ensure it fits correctly.
They can also prescribe exercises for your hand.
Hand exercises can help ensure your grip strength returns to pre-injury levels.
Pain Management
After an elbow fracture, you may have swelling around your elbow.
Your physical therapist can help you manage the pain and swelling withice applicationorelectrical stimulation (e-stim).
Over-the-counternonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)like Aleve (naproxen) or Advil (ibuprofen) can also help.
A case report found that joint mobilization andshortwave diathermycould help restore normal ROM.
Shortwave diathermy uses electromagnetic radio waves to convert energy to deep heat.
Your therapist can also teach you self-massage techniques.
Ongoing Care
Most people should be able to return to normal activities within four months.
For some, full healing can take up to a year.
It’s common to still have a mild loss of mobility after this time.
Keep going with your home exercise program after you’ve finished physical therapy.
Be sure to ask your healthcare provider about the expected outcomes for your specific case.
Summary
If not properly cared for, an elbow fracture can lead to loss of mobility.
This is why it’s important to work with a physical therapist early on.
A Word From Verywell
Physical therapy is an important step in recovery from an elbow fracture.
Often, elbow fractures are immobilized, which leads to stiffness and weakness at the joint.
Mobilizing this joint early with physical therapy can help to restore full function in your arm.
NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing shoulder & elbow fractures.
2015;24(3):333-8. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2014.11.037
John Hopkins Medicine.Elbow fracture open reduction and internal fixation.
Jones V.Conservative management of the post-traumatic stiff elbow: a physiotherapist’s perspective.Shoulder Elbow.
