Immobilizing a broken elbow in a cast or sling causes the muscles to become weak and stiff from lack of use. Range of motion exercises stretch the muscles to reduce stiffness and increase flexibility. You can perform exercises to maintain range of motion in the wrists and forearms while your arm is still in a cast or sling and then perform additional exercises once the cast comes off.
Wrist ROM Exercises
Range of motion, ROM, exercises in the wrist move only the wrist joint but utilize muscles in the lower arm. You can perform wrist range of motion stretches without moving your elbow so you can do these exercises in a cast or a sling. The wrist bend and wrist rotation are active range of motion exercise you can do to keep your wrist able to move. Rest your arm on a table with your wrist hanging over the edge to do both of these exercise. Bend your wrist back so that your fingers point toward the ceiling and then bend your wrist down to point toward the floor to do the wrist bend exercise. Next, circle your wrist in one direction and then the other. Ask your doctor or physical therapist how many repetitions to do.
Forearm ROM Exercises
The muscles of the forearm rotate your lower arms. Range of motion in the forearm is something you can work on without moving your elbow. The supination/pronation stretch encourages range of motion in the forearm. To perform this exercise, hold your palm face up to start and then rotate your forearm until your palm faces the floor. Rotate the forearm back to the starting position, keeping the wrist straight. Your doctor will tell you how many of these exercises to perform.
Elbow ROM Stretches
While your arm is in a cast, you cannot move your elbow to perform range of motion exercises, but as soon as the doctor removes the cast exercises for the arms are possible. Elbow bends are a simple range of motion exercise that will feel good after being unable to move the elbow. Simply flex your elbow to bring your hand toward your shoulder and then extend the elbow straight. Ask your doctor or caregiver how many times you should perform this exercise.
Upper Arm ROM Stretches
The triceps and biceps work to respectively extend and flex the elbow. A cast prevents both of these movements, causing the muscles to lose strength and flexibility, limiting elbow mobility. The tricep and bicep stretches restore your lost range of motion. Once the cast is off, perform the bicep stretch by standing with your arms held up at your sides like a "T" and palms facing forward. Then, pull your arms back until you feel the stretch in your biceps. Also, stretch the tricep on your affected arm by holding your arm above your head and bending the elbow so your forearm and hand are behind your neck. Then, pull your elbow toward the center of your body with your good arm. Hold each stretch for three to five seconds and do as many stretches as your doctor recommends.
