According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, a flail chest describes a situation in which a portion of the rib cage is separated from the rest of the chest wall, usually due to a severe blunt trauma, such as a serious fall or a car accident. It is very important that patients receive treatment from their doctors first before doing exercises. After treatment, passive range of motion exercises are the best choice, and are usually preformed during physical therapy.
Shoulder Movement
This exercise will take the shoulders and chest through movement up and down, then side to side. It requires assistance from either a physical therapist, or an assistant. Health Touch explains to start with the up and down movement by turning the person's palm in toward the body. Then bring the right arm forward and upward over the person's head until the inner arm touches his ear. Next bring the arm back down to their side. Transition to side to side movement by raising the right arm out to the side to shoulder level. Then raise the arm upward over the person's head as far as possible. Next bring the arm back down to their side. You will finish by swinging the arm across the body toward the left shoulder. Finish with the arm to the side and repeat on the opposite side of the body.
Shoulder Rotations
It is very important to do this exercise slowly, and use a physical therapist or assistant for help. Drugs.com states to begin by bringing the right arm out to the person's side. You will then gently bend the elbow so the thumb and fingers are pointing up. Start to rotate and turn the arm so the thumb and fingers point down toward the person's toes. Continue this three times, then switch to the other side for three repetitions.
Elbow Bends
This exercise will take the elbows and chest through movement up and down, then side to side. Ask for help from either a physical therapist, or an assistant. With the person's right arm at his side, turn the palm of his hand face up to begin the up and down movement. Then Health Touch explains to bend the arm at the elbow so that the fingers are pointing toward the ceiling. Move the hand back down to the person's side, and transition to the side to side movement by holding the right arm out at shoulder level with the palm facing up. Slowly and gently bend the elbow. Next try to make the person's fingertips touch the top of his right shoulder. Release and return arm to the side. Switch and perform on the other side.
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