Your elbow consists of three bones: the humerus, radius and ulnar. Fractures involving any of these bones can result in a broken elbow that requires treatment ranging from immobilizing to surgery. Rehab involves intensive physical therapy to restore elasticity of the elbow joint and improve range of motion while lowering pain levels. Range of motion following a broken elbow starts out with gentle assistive maneuvers and progresses to active flexibility exercises. Since all injuries differ, consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise.
Assistance
The beginning stages of rehabilitation can use your healthy arm as an exercise tool to improve your range of motion following a broken elbow. During the initial healing process, your elbow will lack enough strength to move solo. You need to move your injured arm through the recuperative maneuvers by using your healthy arm. Start doing a maneuver known as a triceps stretch, according to the Sports Science Orthopaedic Clinic. Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart. Gently and slowly lift your injured arm in front of you at shoulder-height while gently bending the elbow. Use your healthy hand to place the injured forearm behind your head. Place your healthy hand on your injured elbow and gently pull toward your body until you feel a mild stretch. Hold the stretch 15 seconds. Slowly release and return to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Rotations
Range of motion following a broken elbow improves with rotational maneuvers, notes the Sports Science Orthopaedic Clinic. While either standing or sitting, gently lift your injured arm and bend your elbow to a 90-degree angle, with your palm facing your body. With your upper arm against your side, slowly turn your palm toward the floor. Hold this position 10 seconds. Slowly return to the original position. Relax for five seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do the exercise again by turning your palm toward the ceiling.
Gentle Downward Maneuvers
Maneuvers concerned with improving range of motion following a broken elbow can begin as early as the day following surgery in order to speed up the healing process, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Start working on your wrist and forearm muscles by doing some gentle wrist extension stretches. Stand or sit upright with your injured arm extended in front of you at shoulder-height. Let your hand hang freely. Take your healthy hand and place it over your injured hand. Gently push down on your injured hand until you feel a mild stretch. Hold this stretch 10 seconds. Release the stretch and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do this exercise five times throughout the day.
Body Weight
Enhance your range of motion following a broken elbow by utilizing only your body weight to increase flexibility of your upper chest, shoulder and biceps. Body weight exercises stretch your muscles without using any exercise tools such as hand weights. Start implementing some biceps stretches to improve your range of motion following a broken elbow regime. Either stand or sit upright with your feet firmly planted on the floor for this exercise. Slowly lift both arms out to your sides at shoulder-height with palms facing up, recommends the Sports Science Orthopaedic Clinic. Slowly move both arms toward your back while keeping your elbows straight. Move until you feel a mild stretch. Hold this stretch 10 seconds. Slowly return to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
