Physical Therapy To Do With Osteoporosis Of The Right Elbow & Wrist

Osteoporosis, the most common form of bone disease, results in the thinning and progressive loss of bone tissue. Osteoporosis can occur in any bone in your body, including your right elbow and wrist. Symptoms of osteoporosis include easily fractured bones with minimal to no trauma. Physical therapy for osteoporosis focuses on bone and muscle strengthening and restoring movement following a fracture. Consult your doctor before you begin physical therapy exercises to improve osteoporosis in your right elbow and wrist.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis helps prevent fractures by bone strengthening activities such as lifting weights and stretching. Physical therapy aims to reduce pain, maximize musculoskeletal function -- particularly following a fracture -- decrease the risk of falls and optimize your quality of life and independent functioning, according to a report published in the September 2009 edition of the journal "Zeitschrift fur Rheumatologie." Bones respond to physical demands by becoming denser and stronger. Resistance exercises can help strengthen the easily fractured bones in your right wrist and elbow. The National Osteoporosis Foundation generally recommends completing resistance activities two to three days per week and completing one to two sets of 10 to 15 repetitions each -- using lighter weights -- to help prevent injury.

Wrist Range-of-Motion Exercises

The wrist-flexor stretch promotes strength and movement in your wrist. Extend your right arm forward with your palm facing up and elbow straight. Place your left hand across your right palm and pull back until you feel a stretch in your forearm. Hold this position for three to five seconds and then relax for three to five seconds. Perform the wrist-flexor stretch 10 times. Rest your right arm on a table with your hand hanging over the edge. Slowly bend your wrist up and down. Complete another range of motion exercise in the same starting position by moving your wrists in circles to the right and then to the left. Your therapist will determine how many repetitions and sets you need to do with each exercise.

Elbow Range-of-Motion Exercises

A physical therapist can also recommend range-of-motion exercises to improve mobility and bone strength in your elbow. To do one important exercise, hold your right arm down by your side with your elbow held straight. Bend your elbow and bring your hand up to touch your right shoulder. Perform sets and repetitions according to the recommendations of your therapist. Your therapist can also perform this exercise for you, or passively. With your right arm at your side and thumb pointing up, she places one of her hands above your elbow and holds your hand with her other hand. Then she bends your elbow, so that your hand goes up to your shoulder.

Resistance Exercises

Your physical therapist may suggest performing resistance exercises using free weights that weigh around 1 lb. to strengthen the bones in your right elbow and wrist. To perform a wrist curl, bend your right arm at a right angle at your elbow with your palm facing your face. Using only your wrists, curl the weight up and then back down. Repeat this exercise eight to 15 times. The one-arm military press entails lying on your back on a bed or bench, placing your feet flat on the floor and holding a dumbbell in your right hand. Lift the weight straight up with your right hand, pause, and then lower the weight until it barely touches your chest. Repeat this exercise for six to eight repetitions and gradually build to two sets -- if you can easily complete one.

Physical Therapy to Do With Osteoporosis of the Right Elbow & Wrist