Elbow rehab

[DWx]

Looks like I'll be kicking off 2016 with limited training but lots of rehab. Friday night training I attempted a dive roll but royally screwed up and popped my elbow out instead have never been in so much pain before where nothing you do helps or eases the pain. Even morphine didn't seem to take the edge off. Luckily my neighbour is an orthopaedic surgeon and called in a favour to get me seen by a specialist pretty quick. Xrays confirmed no break but limited range of movement and have been referred to a physio.

Has anyone ever had a similar injury? What were your experiences with rehab. Pretty disappointed I'm out of action for a couple of months.

[bushido_man96]

Man, that's rough, Danielle. I haven't had experience with that kind of injury, but I'll be wishing you a speedy recovery!

[JR 137]

I haven't injured mine in that way, but I've rehabbed many. Length of time depends on the severity, actual structures injured, and the commitment from the patient.

Did you completely dislocate your elbow (had to be put back in?), sublux it (partial dislocation that may have gone back on its own), hyperextend it, etc. Did you damage the inside (medial side), outside (lateral side)or both, any tendons or muscles torn, and so on. Saying any timeframe without any specific information is useless.

One thing I can tell you that you've figured out is that it sucks. And they usually linger on for quite some time. Even after you get the clearance to go unrestricted, it'll still be there.

If there's no significant structural damage (x-Rays only see bones), the first things I work on are range of motion and getting rid of swelling. If there's significant structural damage, it may (depending on the actual structure) need to be repaired surgically.

You should have a good idea of what's going to happen after your initial visit with the person doing the rehab. The longer you wait to get that started, the exponentially longer it'll take to fully recover.

[sensei8]

Man, that's rough, Danielle. I haven't had experience with that kind of injury, but I'll be wishing you a speedy recovery!

I agree with Brain here all the way.

My daughter, Michelle, when she was 8 years old fell off the monkey bars at school and fell on her right elbow, but, unlike you, Danielle, she chipped her elbow and she was in a cast for 6 weeks.

Her rehab was excruciating beyond all beliefs. Having been in a cast so long, she had no range of movement in her elbow. The goal was to return mobility to her elbow, in that, she can straighten her right arm fully.

So, the doctors would soak her elbow in some purple liquid for 30 minutes, and then help her straighten that arm...being 8 years old, she cried quite loud due to the pain.

In about 2 weeks, she was able to fully straighten out her right arm...but the pain she endured was quite intense. I'd not wish that on my worse enemy!!

Hang in there, Danielle!!

[mazzybear]

Sorry to hear that, wishing you a speedy recovery.

Mo.

[DWx]

I haven't injured mine in that way, but I've rehabbed many. Length of time depends on the severity, actual structures injured, and the commitment from the patient.

Did you completely dislocate your elbow (had to be put back in?), sublux it (partial dislocation that may have gone back on its own), hyperextend it, etc. Did you damage the inside (medial side), outside (lateral side)or both, any tendons or muscles torn, and so on. Saying any timeframe without any specific information is useless.

One thing I can tell you that you've figured out is that it sucks. And they usually linger on for quite some time. Even after you get the clearance to go unrestricted, it'll still be there.

If there's no significant structural damage (x-Rays only see bones), the first things I work on are range of motion and getting rid of swelling. If there's significant structural damage, it may (depending on the actual structure) need to be repaired surgically.

You should have a good idea of what's going to happen after your initial visit with the person doing the rehab. The longer you wait to get that started, the exponentially longer it'll take to fully recover.

Thanks for detailed advice JR137.

At this point I think it was a subluxation as I definitely felt it move out of place. I landed on an outstretched hand and it was as my hand hit the ground I felt the elbow shift. But I've only had X-Rays so far which determined no break and that it was back in place. At the hospital all the consultant could say was based on my complaints and range of movement possibly damage to the ligaments but the physio will need to advise further and I'm currently awaiting an appointment.

(I actually went to A&E twice: on the Friday I did it, X-ray determined there was no break I was sent home with a "muscle spasm" nevermind the fact I was rolling around in agony and know what a muscle cramp feels like. I went to a different hospital on Saturday on the advice of my neighbour and they re-did the X-Rays, confirmed no break and referred me to physio.)

What do you advise for immediate care normally? I had it in a sling day 1-3 but tried to ditch that as soon as possible. On anti-inflammatories and pain killers have been trying to keep moving it. For the lack of a better description, have been doing bicep curls (unweighted) and trying to keep my hand moving around. Think I overdid it yesterday though as very sore today!

[DWx]

Thanks for the well wishes guys

Man, that's rough, Danielle. I haven't had experience with that kind of injury, but I'll be wishing you a speedy recovery!

I agree with Brain here all the way.

My daughter, Michelle, when she was 8 years old fell off the monkey bars at school and fell on her right elbow, but, unlike you, Danielle, she chipped her elbow and she was in a cast for 6 weeks.

Her rehab was excruciating beyond all beliefs. Having been in a cast so long, she had no range of movement in her elbow. The goal was to return mobility to her elbow, in that, she can straighten her right arm fully.

So, the doctors would soak her elbow in some purple liquid for 30 minutes, and then help her straighten that arm...being 8 years old, she cried quite loud due to the pain.

In about 2 weeks, she was able to fully straighten out her right arm...but the pain she endured was quite intense. I'd not wish that on my worse enemy!!

Hang in there, Danielle!!

That's my biggest worry at the moment, the straightening. At this point it is hanging with maybe a 15 degree behind. I can't physically straighten it even with assistance from my other hand. Am only on Day 5 though and there still is a lot of swelling.

[JR 137]

I wouldn't force full extension (straightening) until you're sure there's no significant ligament damage. The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which is the ligament on the inside of the elbow (like the MCL of the knee), gets stretched a bit when you go to full extension. If there's tearing, it can make it worse.

Over the internet, the only advice I feel comfortable giving is do some range of motion within reason. Working through soreness/tightness is usually ok. Working through pain isn't. There's a difference between the two.

Elbow flexion and extension (bending and straightening), and pronation and supination (turning the forearm so you're alternating palm up and palm down, while the elbow's bent) should be ok, just don't push passed pain. Squeezing a stress ball or tennis ball to maintain hand strength and using your hand as normally as possible should be fine too.

Take it easy until you've got a good idea of what's damaged in there. I also like to do contrast baths on the area - soak it in very warm water (not scalding) for 3 minutes, take it out, then rub an ice cup* on it for 1 minute. Repeat the process for 15 minutes total.

*Get a smallish paper cup, fill it with water and freeze it. After its frozen, rip the top off enough so you've got enough paper cup to hold onto. Rub the exposed ice over the entire area. Put a towel under your arm, it'll get messy. Do that 2-3 times a day.

These are generic things I'd do. Listen to your body. If it feels like it's making things worse, it very well could be.

[sensei8]

Thanks for the well wishes guys

Man, that's rough, Danielle. I haven't had experience with that kind of injury, but I'll be wishing you a speedy recovery!

I agree with Brain here all the way.

My daughter, Michelle, when she was 8 years old fell off the monkey bars at school and fell on her right elbow, but, unlike you, Danielle, she chipped her elbow and she was in a cast for 6 weeks.

Her rehab was excruciating beyond all beliefs. Having been in a cast so long, she had no range of movement in her elbow. The goal was to return mobility to her elbow, in that, she can straighten her right arm fully.

So, the doctors would soak her elbow in some purple liquid for 30 minutes, and then help her straighten that arm...being 8 years old, she cried quite loud due to the pain.

In about 2 weeks, she was able to fully straighten out her right arm...but the pain she endured was quite intense. I'd not wish that on my worse enemy!!

Hang in there, Danielle!!

That's my biggest worry at the moment, the straightening. At this point it is hanging with maybe a 15 degree behind. I can't physically straighten it even with assistance from my other hand. Am only on Day 5 though and there still is a lot of swelling.

Yeah, as you know, or are learning, don't force the arm straight. Let the Doctor/PT do that...this is where baby steps come in and A LOT of patience. The pain will be there due to the stiffness, and it's to be expected, yet not to be enjoyed.

When Michelle was at home, we'd follow to the letter what the PT prescribed for her/our "homework", but in no way, were we to force the arm straight. If the arm went straight while we're at home, then we're to still not try to force full range, as is the habit of many patients.

[DWx]

Bit of an update:

Saw doc at the hospital again who confirms no break or fracture and diagnosed damage to The UCL and referred me to the community physio. Am seeing her once a week for ultrasound therapy and manipulation to get full range of movement back. At the moment have between 30 and 60 degrees of movement which sucks big time for my training but I have been able to start running again so at least that's keeping my fitness up.