Sling | When will I go home? | What can I do? | What can’t I do? |
| Splint in extension for 2 weeks | You will be discharged on the same day as the operation | All shoulder range of movement | No movement into painful extremes. |
Acute phase (0-2 weeks)
Goals
- Protect surgical repair
- Reduce pain
Rehabilitation
- Patient will be in a rigid splint in elbow extension for two weeks
Intermediate phase (2-6 weeks)
Goals
- Control pain
Rehabilitation
- Patient fitted with hinged elbow brace to be worn at all times except bathing
- Brace locked at 30 degrees for weeks 2-6
Late phase (>6 weeks)
Goals
- Restore elbow range of movement
- Restore elbow strength, stability, proprioception and function
Rehabilitation
- Begin elbow range of movement
- Passive range from 6 weeks to 12 weeks aiming for 130 degrees flexion by 12 weeks
- Active elbow range of movement from 8 weeks
- Full elbow extension by 8 weeks
- No active triceps strengthening until 3 months
Guidelines for return to functional activities
Driving | Lifting | Swimming | Golf |
| 3 months | 4 months | 3 months | 6 months |
