Elbow Rehabilitation

Elbow Release

Back to Elbow Rehabilitation

Sling	When will I go home?	What can I do?	What can’t I do?
2 weeks	You will be discharged on the day after the operation	Elbow range of movement	No movement into painful extremes.

Acute phase (0-2 weeks)

Goals

Reduce pain

Rehabilitation

Extension splint for first 24 hours
Gentle range of movements including pronation and supination as tolerated

Intermediate phase (2-6 weeks)

Goals

Control pain
Restore elbow range of movement

Rehabilitation

Continue flexion/extension and pronation/supination exercises
All motion may be active-assisted progressing to active
Add static progressive splinting (Mayo elbow brace) if necessary
Continue grip strengthening

Late phase (>6 weeks)

Goals

Restore elbow function

Rehabilitation

Restore full range of movement
Restore elbow strength, stability, proprioception and function

Guidelines for return to functional activities

Driving	Lifting	Swimming	Golf
4 weeks	6 weeks	2 weeks	6 weeks

Elbow Release Information Sheet

(PDF)

ELBOW, WRIST AND HAND SPECIALIST

Mr. Matthan Mammen

MS, FRACS (Orth)

Mr. Matthan Mammen is an internationally qualified orthopaedic surgeon, who is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian Orthopaedic Association.