Occupational therapy is often prescribed after an injury or surgery to the humerus. The humerus is the bone located in the upper arm in between the elbow and the shoulder. With many muscles and tendons attached, the humerus is involved in shoulder and elbow range of motion movement. Any impairment to the humerus or the surrounding soft tissue can limit movement, result in pain or restrict functional use. Performing passive range of motion exercises can restore the use of your arm and reduce your pain after an injury or surgery.
Elbow Movement
Placing one hand on your forearm and one hand on your upper arm, your occupational therapist will move your elbow to bend and straighten it. As your range of motion improves, your therapist may stretch further to help restore full range of motion. Deep tissue pressure may be used over a tight muscle fiber to relax the muscle during range of motion and allow for increased range.
Shoulder Flexion/Extension
Bending your arm straight in front of you and straight behind you are flexion and extension, respectively. Placing her hand on your upper arm and her other hand behind your shoulder, your occupational therapist will perform shoulder-flexion exercises. Moving your arm from down at your side to up over your head, your occupational therapist will initiate flexion. Extension is often done while standing or lying on your opposite side, while your therapist pulls your arm back behind you, with her hands in the same position as indicated for flexion.
Shoulder Adduction/Abduction
Starting with your arm down at your side, your therapist will lift your arm sideways away from your body to lift your arm about the height of your ear to focus on abduction. Your therapist may place his hand at your hand, wrist, elbow or upper arm, depending upon your level of impairment and tone. Pulling your arm with similar positioning across your trunk, your therapist will perform adduction.
Shoulder Rotation
Shoulder rotation is often impacted with injury or surgery to the humerus because of the formation of scar tissue, which adheres the muscle and tendon to the bone inappropriately. Placing your elbow bent alongside your trunk, your occupational therapist will rotate your forearm in toward your trunk and then back away from the trunk. To achieve this movement properly, your occupational therapist will maintain your elbow in one stable location throughout the range of motion to ensure that only rotation is performed.
Member Comments