I broke my elbow 8-weeks ago (radial head) from a bike crash. This is the second time in three years that I’ve broken this bone in the exact same place. Back in 2003, my orthopod was concerned that I might lose some range of motion but I worked hard - and -on my own, recaptured 100% of my ROM. This time the ROM is much harder to regain; currently I have about 90-95% ROM in my right arm at the elbow joint but I’m stuck and cannot get the last 5% to make my arm perfectly straight. What am I missing, what else can I do. I have not gone to a PT yet but will if I cannot perform the necessary exercises on my own. Thanks in advance and happy holidays.
Dave in VA
I would go see a good ortho PT in your area. It is usually harder to gain ROM with repeated injury. You may need some fairly aggressive joint mobilization, which is is hard to do your own elbow. Of course you need to clearance from your orthopod to make sure things are well healed and that a true bony abnormality is not cusing the restriction in ROM. If you have any residual loss of ROM despite this we have had success using a JAS brace which is a static progressive stretching device. Here is a link http://www.jointactivesystems.com. Good luck.
thanks for the advice. I had a follow-up visit at 6-weeks and my orthopod said everything looked good on the x-ray. He also mentioned that a loss of about 5% would be considered normal but I’m going to try my best to get it back. I guess I’ll make a few PT appointments, thanks again.
Dave in VA