Exercises for pain in the elbows Bubnovsky. Exercises for the elbow joint

The most complete answers to questions on the topic: “physical therapy for a fracture of the elbow joint, a set of exercises.”

Development of the elbow joint after a fracture is the basis for effective rehabilitation after an arm injury. Indeed, while the elbow joint is in a cast, the muscles and tendons are in a stationary state. This is fraught with partial atrophy and loss of elasticity of the ligaments, muscle tissue.

When do they start training?

In any case, a fracture of the elbow joint is accompanied by the application of a plaster cast. During this period, any movements that would keep muscle tissue in good shape are impossible. As a result, tendons and muscles become thinner, shortened, and become less durable for everyday use, and especially sports movements. But it is the tendons that are responsible for the safe functioning of the hand, preventing the occurrence of other injuries.

Due to the above reasons, rehabilitation after an arm fracture is very important. We will describe below how to develop the elbow joint after a fracture. Recovery occurs in two stages.

1. The first stage begins while wearing plaster and is no less important than the subsequent ones.
2. The second stage begins immediately after removing the bandage, since during the period of immobility the flexion function of the elbow suffers significantly. It is necessary to restore it as quickly as possible and return to the normal rhythm of life without the risk of re-injury.

Exercise therapy and gymnastics complex

Physical therapy is one of the most effective and efficient ways to rehabilitate damaged joints, be it a knee, arm, or other organs. It is recommended to start simple exercises on the second day after applying a plaster cast. But consultation with a doctor in this matter is required. Since there are complex fractures, in which mobility needs to be limited longer.

First stage of rehabilitation

How to develop a hand after a fracture in the first days with a cast? So, as we said, already on the second day you can begin the most simple exercises. To do this, it is necessary to use free, unfixed joints. These include the shoulder, wrist joint, and fingers. All parts of the limb are still affected by the tendons and muscles of the elbow, preventing atrophic changes.

Exercises to develop the elbow joint:

• lie on your back, move your arm behind your back, trying to put the limb back. Such actions will avoid the appearance of swelling in the hand;
• squeeze the phalanges into a fist;
• describe circles with your fingers, each in turn;
• spread and bring together the phalanges of the hand;
• buy plasticine and use it to develop fine motor skills of the hand;
• sit on a chair, place your hand on the table, carefully raise your hand, but you can only bend the limb at the shoulder joint;
• connect two hands and gradually move them behind your head.

An elbow fracture can cause a lot of discomfort. This is due to the fact that this area has high functional activity, as well as the presence of anatomical elements (nerves, muscles, blood vessels) in it. The main cause of fractures is trauma. An important treatment measure is exercises for a fracture of the elbow joint, aimed at its restoration and development

Fractures can be open or closed. Closed ones are more common and are characterized by preservation of the skin. The injury in this case can be diagnosed only by symptoms and x-rays. With an open fracture, the skin loses its integrity.

The bone of the elbow joint can break into several processes or be crushed into a large number of small parts. Comminuted fractures are usually closed. When a fracture occurs, bone fragments can move or remain stable. Injuries accompanied by displacement are much more difficult to treat.

Another type of fracture is a bone crack, which is accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the bone structure. Typically, this type of fracture is the easiest to treat and the outcome is favorable.

Usually, if treatment and rehabilitation are carried out correctly, the outcome of a fracture is favorable, and a complete recovery occurs. But for one reason or another, some complications are possible.

The most dangerous complication is complete loss of limb mobility. This can occur due to the destruction of nerve fibers and as a result of disruption of the process of nerve impulse transmission. the main task therapy - to reduce the risk of complete limb immobility to a minimum, although this is not always possible.

A signal of possible problems with a limb can be, for example, pain that occurs in response to movement and persists even after the end of therapy and rehabilitation. To prevent loss of mobility, you need to follow all the specialist’s recommendations.

If a fracture affects nerve or vascular fibers, then in addition to complete or partial loss of mobility, pain or circulatory disorders are also possible.

Treatment of elbow fracture

With a very slight displacement of the joint, about 5-6 cm, the doctor realigns it, subsequently applying a fixing bandage and giving recommendations on limiting activity. If the displacement is more than 6 mm, the need for surgical intervention is decided.

The essence surgical treatment in the complete opening of the joint cavity, giving bone fragments correct position and fixing them in this form. The osteosynthesis technique is often used, which is aimed at accelerating bone growth. In case of severe head damage radius can be replaced with an endoprosthesis. After the operation is performed, the limb is fixed using a plaster splint.

In case of a closed fracture, before surgery, the patient is prescribed medications aimed at relieving swelling and the inflammatory reaction. If the fracture is open, then the operation is performed within two hours from the moment of injury.

Please note that the cast is applied not only to the affected joint area. The hand is fixed from the base of the fingers to shoulder joint, installed in a half-bent position. This fixation complies with all the rules of traumatology and allows the bones to grow together correctly.

For the first time, the plaster splint is removed four weeks after application. This gives the patient the opportunity to begin developing the injured arm.

Rehabilitation

The issue of rehabilitation must be approached especially responsibly, since this area is quite capricious. Doctors advise starting to develop the elbow joint after a fracture with small exercises for the fingers and shoulder joints immediately after applying a plaster splint, and a week after the fracture can be performed isotonic contractions muscle tissue. They involve tensing a muscle without direct movement. This exercise is great for maintaining muscle tone.

In the second week after the splint has been applied, physical therapy can begin. It also helps maintain the tone of muscle tissue, helps improve blood supply processes, and accelerate the healing of affected areas. In some cases, the patient requires additional devices that help restore limb mobility.

Development of the elbow joint after a fracture: exercises

Development of the elbow joint itself is the second stage of rehabilitation. It is possible only after removal of the plaster splint and with the approval of a doctor.

The second stage of rehabilitation is usually very difficult, since in addition to following instructions, it also requires perseverance and self-control. If you do not devote enough time to developing the joint, you may never regain full mobility.

You cannot immediately bend your elbow after removing the splint.

First the patient needs to perform simple exercises for the elbow joint after a fracture, which are performed with an outstretched arm. For example, he is asked to sit at a table, stretch his injured arm towards it and try to lift his elbow from the table only through movements in the shoulder.

• Place the injured hand on a flat, hard surface. With your healthy hand, perform flexion and extension movements in it.
• You can do exercises to develop fine motor skills in the injured hand using a soft ball or stick.
• The arm is flexed and extended at the same time as it is raised behind the head.

Exercise therapy for a fracture of the elbow joint: a set of exercises

After consultation with a specialist, you can move on from passive movements to more active ones. The doctor must first assess the condition of the joint and give recommendations. In the absence of pathological changes, you can use the following set of exercises:

• Close your hands together and imitate casting a fishing rod, alternately moving your hands behind your head, either on the left or on the right side.
• The exercise is done in a similar way, but the hands are thrown behind the head on both sides.
• The hands are closed in a lock on the back.
• Hands are placed behind the head and folded into a lock. Try to stretch, standing on your toes, and lower your hands down, palms up.
• Roll a regular children's car along the floor, while flexing and extending the affected limb.
• A set of exercises is performed with gymnastic stick, also aimed at flexing and extending the arms at the elbows.

When the pain and discomfort go away, you can begin to perform physical therapy after a fracture of the elbow joint with dumbbells. To begin with, the weight of the dumbbell should not be more than 2 kg. Their weight increases gradually, and this should also be discussed with a doctor.

Exercises and massage

Exercises to develop the elbow joint after a fracture should become more complex gradually as it develops. The patient needs to understand that it is impossible to remove the splint and immediately begin to act with the injured arm as if it were completely healthy.

Massage can also be used to restore mobility. Experts' opinions on this topic differ, but in many cases these manipulations are prescribed, although not immediately after the fracture. It is important that the massage is approved by a doctor.

You can perform a massage before the splint is removed, but in this case it will not be directed at the elbow joint, but at the area shoulder girdle. The procedure has a general strengthening effect on the body and correct execution very useful.

One common mistake patients make during the rehabilitation process is excessive loads on the joint and passive use of the limb. Please note that during this time you should not carry any heavy objects with your sore hand or do exercises that require support on your hands, such as push-ups and pull-ups.

It is also not recommended to perform exercises that provoke severe discomfort. There will be some discomfort, but it should not be too pronounced. Your task is to restore mobility to your hand, and not to complete the entire complex at any cost.

A fracture of the elbow joint is a fairly complex injury, and it always requires an extremely responsible approach to rehabilitation measures. If a person does not make enough efforts, he may be left with an impaired limb for the rest of his life. To prevent this, you need to take care of your own health and follow the instructions of a specialist.

Proper and balanced nutrition also helps to speed up the process of recovery and return to normal life. Vitamins C and E have a beneficial effect on ligaments and joints.

Collagen is also important. This component is the main material for connective tissues in the human body and is responsible for their elasticity and firmness.

Collagen is found in large quantities in the following products:

• sea ​​fish, any seafood;
• poultry meat;
• some fruits: peaches and persimmons;
• cereals: oatmeal, buckwheat.

Vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system, which is very important for fractures. Other vitamins for bones and joints are also important. They can be obtained from food and from additionally consumed vitamin and mineral complexes. The body directs all its resources to restore bone tissue, as a result of which it weakens and becomes more susceptible to various viruses and infections.

Sources of vitamin C from foods include cabbage, tomatoes, sweet peppers, rose hips, citrus fruits, and berries.

The human body is truly unique. Its tissues can be restored naturally. But you can help speed up this process significantly by performing all the necessary measures, including exercises to restore the elbow joint after a fracture. We invite you to watch a video demonstrating their implementation.

Technique for performing exercises for a fractured elbow joint on video

An elbow injury can occur at any age. The subsequent treatment method depends on the severity of the injury and the type of damage. But regardless of the type of treatment, exercise therapy is indicated for a fracture of the elbow joint during rehabilitation or during treatment.

Preparing for gymnastics

A joint fracture can occur during a fall or impact. In the first minutes after the injury, severe pain is felt and the inability to move the injured limb. Injuries include bruises, ligament tears, fractures, dislocations, and subluxations.

If a fracture is diagnosed, a plaster cast is applied to the affected area. Gymnastics for the injured elbow joint can be performed in two stages:

1. Gymnastics on the 2nd day of applying plaster. Even with a plaster cast and contracture of the injured limb, you can perform special exercises. Physical activity after a bruise or fracture is intended for areas of the joint free from plaster, and is necessary to normalize blood flow.
2. Exercises for the elbow joint during the rehabilitation period are aimed at full recovery damaged tissues and physical activity.

Before classes, you must complete preparations that include the following:

• You can exercise 2 hours after your last meal;
• before gymnastics classes it is necessary to perform a joint warm-up. You need to spend at least 5 minutes warming up;
• during classes you need to drink water without gas;
• When performing exercises, you need to monitor your breathing in order to maximally saturate the tissues with oxygen;
• At the end of classes, it is recommended to stand under a cool shower. The procedure will help to further enhance blood flow, which is important for the restoration of damaged tissue;
• You can eat food after complete restoration of breathing and at a normal pulse rate after physical therapy exercises.

If you follow the preparation rules, exercises for the elbow joint will bring the expected results.

Warm-up

To avoid complications during treatment physical activity, before the main exercises it is necessary to perform a joint warm-up.

The main goal of gymnastics designed for the elbow joint is to increase blood flow. But muscle tissue is involved in any motor activity. If you start exercising without prior preparation, you can pull a muscle in your injured arm. Therefore, before classes, it is recommended to perform muscle warm-up exercises.

Movements for joint warm-up are performed starting from the neck muscles. Gradually you can go down, developing the muscle tissue of the forearms. Warm-up should be carried out for the muscles of the whole body, and not just for the injured arm.

Exercises for joint warm-up

An approximate complex for joint warm-up consists of the following movements:

1. Easy jogging in place.
2. While standing, tilt your head to both sides, as well as forward and backward.
3. Rotate your shoulders several times.
4. Bend the body in the lumbar region.
5. Rotation of the pelvis.
6. Perform gentle rotations with your knees.
7. Move the fingers of both hands.

The joint warm-up ends by alternately moving the feet from toe to heel and in the opposite direction.

Types of exercises

A set of exercises for the elbow joint is of the following types:

• physical therapy during the rehabilitation period;
• Exercise therapy for contracture, when joint movements are limited;
• movements aimed at complete restoration of the damaged joint.

Exercises can be performed standing or sitting. There are whole complexes gymnastic exercises. This is: video “We’ll heal ourselves, exercise therapy for the elbow, part 1 and 2.”

The post-traumatic gymnastics complex consists of the following exercises for elbow:

1. Place the injured hand on a flat surface. Using your healthy hand, gently bend and straighten the joint on the healing limb.
2. You will need a small rubber ball that fits in your hand. You need to squeeze and unclench the ball with your injured hand. Thus, blood flow and muscle tissue are restored, the conductivity of nerve fibers improves, and joint tissues are saturated with oxygen.
3. Place your hand behind your head and gently bend it, then straighten it.

Exercises aimed at developing the damaged joint, flexion and extension of the limbs:

1. Close both hands in a lock, pretending to throw a fishing rod in different directions.
2. Take turns throwing both hands behind your head.
3. Place your hands behind your back and clasp them together.
4. With your hands behind your back and clasped, you need to stretch, carefully raising and lowering your arms.

Performing exercises for the shoulder joint for fractures in children is slightly different from exercises for adult patients. This is explained by the peculiarity of the structure of bone tissue in children. The elbow joint, depending on age, may not yet be formed, so exercise therapy exercises are also different.

Exercise therapy exercises are selected individually for each patient. View therapeutic exercises depends on the severity of the injury and the type of injury.

Exercises according to Bubnovsky

Orthopedist and neurologist Dr. Bubnovsky has developed special exercises for damaged joints.

For the treatment and prevention of DISEASES OF THE JOINTS and SPINE, our readers use the method of quick and non-surgical treatment recommended by leading rheumatologists in Russia, who decided to speak out against pharmaceutical lawlessness and presented a medicine that REALLY TREATS! We have become familiar with this technique and decided to bring it to your attention.

With the help of exercises for the elbow joints developed by Bubnovsky, you can achieve the following results:

• eliminate pain and inflammation;
• relax muscle tissue;
• relieve numbness from the fingers and in another area;
• develop a damaged joint:
• saturate tissues with oxygen;
• normalize metabolic processes;
• increase blood flow;
• completely restore joint mobility.

Bubnovsky’s joint gymnastics is used for treatment and prevention purposes. An approximate part of a set of exercises that can be learned from the video:

1. Take the expander and fix the exercise machine with your feet. Holding and pulling the ends of the expander with your hands, bend and straighten your upper limbs.
2. Place one foot on the floor and bend the other at the knee. Alternately bend your elbows and then move them to the sides.
3. You will need a traction machine. Sit down with your legs spread apart. Pull towards yourself top links exercise machine with both hands.
4. Alternately rotate the shoulder girdle.

The medical complex of training according to the Bubnovsky method, during which the damaged joint is developed, is selected individually for each patient, and is performed under medical supervision. Exercises to develop articulation should not be accompanied by painful sensations in the process of rehabilitation.

Massage

After a fracture in the elbow joint, a special massage is indicated. Massage movements after an elbow fracture are performed after complete healing and are aimed at restoring muscle tissue and normalizing blood flow.

The massage is done in a sitting position, when the patient's hand is on a flat surface. A small rubber ball is used to massage the area of ​​the arm that is not damaged.

A light massage of the areas of the damaged limb exposed to plaster is indicated during the process of fusion of bone tissue.

Physiotherapy

For speedy recovery damaged joint tissues after a fracture, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed. Treatment is combined with exercise therapy and massage sessions. Procedures are prescribed between massage and therapeutic exercise sessions.

Procedures such as electrophoresis with medicinal compounds, UHF, magnetic therapy, mud treatment, and applications with ozokerite are prescribed.

An integrated approach to treatment, combined with the implementation of all medical prescriptions, allows you to quickly restore the damaged structure of articular tissues and restore mobility to the affected limb.

How to forget about joint pain forever?

Have you ever experienced unbearable joint pain or constant back pain? Judging by the fact that you are reading this article, you are already familiar with them personally. And, of course, you know firsthand what it is:

• constant aching and sharp pain;
• inability to move comfortably and easily;
• constant tension in the back muscles;
• unpleasant crunching and clicking in the joints;
• sharp shooting in the spine or causeless pain in the joints;
• inability to sit in one position for a long time.

Now answer the question: are you satisfied with this? Can such pain be tolerated? How much money have you already spent on ineffective treatment? That's right - it's time to end this! Do you agree? That is why we decided to publish, which reveals the secrets of getting rid of joint and back pain.

If problems appear in the elbow, it is advisable to reduce the mobility of this joint for only a few days until the active, sharp pain subsides. After this, complex rehabilitation therapy must include gymnastics to develop the elbow joint.

Why do you need exercise?

It is no secret that most diseases of the musculoskeletal system begin against the background of excessively increased load. Then how can this same load be useful? Physical education allows you to strengthen muscle fibers, but they are the ones who create the muscular skeleton that supports the spine and other parts of the musculoskeletal system, including the elbow joint.

In addition, exercise therapy helps improve blood microcirculation, which means that nutrition will be supplied to cells and tissues in an increased volume. Even the most modern drugs cannot achieve such an effect. Gymnastics for the elbow joint should pursue the following goals:

• improvement of lymph and blood flow;
• relieving muscle spasm;
• increasing regenerative abilities.

Basic Rules

Therapeutic gymnastics is relatively simple, but the effect can only be achieved if certain rules are followed:

• You can start charging only 2 hours after eating.
• At the very beginning, it is necessary to warm up the joints. Warm-up can take from 4 to 10 minutes. This will help avoid tears, sprains and other injuries.
• During training, you need to monitor your breathing and follow the recommendations given by the doctor. This is very important point, because at these moments the blood flow requires an increased volume of oxygen.
• During exercise, you should drink some fluid regularly.

A set of exercises should be selected by specialists

General complex

Exercise 1

You need to stand up, put your feet shoulder-width apart. The person stretches his arms forward and then spreads his elbows to the sides. The amplitude of movements must be determined by the person himself. They should not cause acute pain. Gradually you need to increase the amplitude.

Exercise 2

It is very similar to skiing. Imitation of these movements consists of alternately placing one arm forward and placing the other back.

Exercise 3

The starting position is kneeling, with the palms on outstretched arms acting as support points. It is necessary to bend forward, while trying to touch the surface of the floor with your shoulders.

Exercise 4

It's called a "swing". It can be performed directly on the bed. You need to lean on the floor with your toes, knees and elbows, which at the same time clasp your head. The edge of the palms covers the eyes. Now you need to move your body forward, placing your head on the mattress. You need to stay in this position for two seconds. Then move in the opposite direction, trying to touch your calves with your hips, and also hold for two seconds.

Exercise 5

You need to pick up a stick and perform any movements to bend and straighten your elbow. This exercise is especially good to perform with contracture of the elbow joint. Each type of exercise is performed 10 times in the first stage. Subsequently, this number can be increased, and also performed in approaches.

Complex after injuries

They differ in that their goal is a soft, delicate development of the joint. Power loads during rehabilitation after an injury, such as a fracture, are harmful, since too much effort can interfere with the healing of bone, muscle and cartilage tissue. So, what can be offered to such patients:

• Exercise 1 . You need to interlace your fingers and lock them together. Now you need to alternately pull them back, then by one shoulder, then by the other. These movements are a bit like casting a fishing rod.
• Exercise 2 . The arm is bent at an angle of 90 degrees. Now you need to do circular movements forearm. This improves blood flow and enhances the conductivity of nerve endings.
• Exercise 3. Rolling balls in your palms. On inside The hands have many nerve endings responsible for the functioning of various organs and systems. Developing this area helps improve the condition of the elbow.

Regularity is of great importance for such patients. Exercises should be performed daily, several times during the day, as soon as the opportunity arises. The intervals between approaches should be about 6 hours.

Exercises according to Bubnovsky

The set of exercises developed by Dr. Bubnovsky is considered one of the most effective. Thousands of patients with different fates, diagnoses and types of injuries have passed through its centers. Bubnovsky is not afraid to include strength exercises just two weeks after developing his elbow. Of course, everything should only take place under the supervision of a doctor. The pace of execution is moderate. The doctor recommends paying attention to correctness and self-control.

If the patient feels that his muscles and elbow joint are sufficiently developed, then it is necessary to gradually increase the load, thereby strengthening the joint.

Therapeutic gymnastics according to the Bubnovsky method consists of the following exercises:

• The hands need to be squeezed and unclenched strongly. At the same time, a rush of blood is felt to the hands, which is felt as the appearance of heat.
• The brush of one hand is placed on a hard surface, and the brush of the other hand is used to cover it. Now you need to try to raise the hand of the first hand, while the second should resist this as much as possible.
• A person hugs the sore elbow with his healthy hand and makes circular movements, as if turning it down, then up, then left, then right.
• The palms are tightly clasped together. A person should try to break this clutch, spread his arms.
• You need to put the ball in front of you. Now you need to press the ball with your palm, applying maximum effort.
• Place your palms in front of you at chest level. Now the person tries to lift his fingers without lifting his palm from the surface.

In specialized centers, physical therapy specialists use simple exercise equipment. At home, Bubnovsky recommends replacing them with dumbbells or any other available means.

As soon as the patient’s sore elbows become stronger, serious gymnastic equipment, such as dumbbells, can be used. Here the doctor is not trying to come up with something new. It is enough to simply move your arms to the side, as well as lift them up (together and alternately) to significantly improve blood microcirculation and strengthen the muscle tissue in the elbow area. When exercising, you should exhale at the moment of pain.

According to the specialist, on average, within a month the patient will see the effect, and the improvements will be not only in the joints, but also in cardiovascular system. The same exercises can be performed to prevent arthrosis, epicondylitis and other diagnoses.

Gymnastics using the Evdokimenko method

Therapeutic gymnastics developed by this doctor are used in the treatment of arthrosis, muscle weakness, and inflammation of the tendons in the elbow joint. It allows you to gently develop the joint after injury, while significantly improving the structure of cartilage tissue. They cannot be performed for dislocations, fresh injuries and sprains, as well as for infectious diseases in the acute stage.

If there is severe pain in the elbow, then you need to wait until its intensity decreases by taking analgesics and only then start physical exercise:

• Exercise 1 . A man sits down at a table and puts his shoulder on its surface. Now you need to try to bend and straighten your elbow in this position as much as possible. Each hand requires 10 to 15 repetitions.
• Exercise 2 . In a sitting position, you need to spread your arms to the sides and up. Cleanliness of the exercises is very important. There is no need to lean forward or fall back.
• Exercise 3. You need to place your forearm on the table surface and fix it in this position. Now you need to use the same hand to roll the tennis ball on the table. This must be done before mild condition fatigue.
• Exercise 4. You need to hold the ball firmly in your hands. Now, with outstretched arms, the hands of which hold the ball, you need to perform circular movements of the maximum possible amplitude. This will help relieve pain from arthrosis of the elbow joint.

What can you do at home?

If desired, you can effectively maintain muscle tone and joint condition at home. For example, a very effective and popular exercise is the plank. It is performed on the floor, supported by arms and legs. The fulcrum points can be the toes, knees, fingers and hands, as well as the elbows. To restore the elbow joint, it is better not to use this joint as a support, but to replace it with the hands.

You need to stand in the plank position for as long as possible. As a rule, in the first days it is only 1 minute, and then the time increases. The plank allows you to strengthen all muscle groups, including the abdominal muscles, hips, buttocks, and arms. When the muscles are strong enough, you can complicate the exercise. For example, side plank on one arm and one leg will help more experienced and professional people improve the health of their joints. You can also try doing the plank “in reverse”, that is, performing the exercise facing the ceiling.

The plank is an exercise that recent years shocked the whole world. She loads well different types muscles and joints, and does not lead to injury or damage

And of course, if possible, you should visit the pool. There is nothing better for strengthening joints than exercise in water. The advantage here is a significant reduction in gravity and an increase in resistance during movement.

Physical education is the basis of health, and this definition largely concerns the musculoskeletal system. Proper treatment of joints, and most importantly, long-term rehabilitation and pain relief, is only possible if the joints work. It's important to find professional trainer who will follow the right tactics gradual increase load and monitor the patient's condition.

The elbow joint is an important part of the arm, with the help of which its work occurs: flexion, extension and rotation. The elbow is often injured. The most common injury is a fracture. With the help of exercises to develop the elbow joint after a fracture, you can avoid a dangerous complication: complete immobilization of the arm.

Long process of recovery of the elbow joint after injury

Requires treatment with complete rest. To do this, the injured limb is immobilized: it is “placed” in a plaster cast. How long the patient will have to walk with a cast on his arm will be determined by the doctor after an X-ray examination. If the fracture is complex and the bone fragments are displaced, then surgery will be performed before applying the plaster. In this case, immobilization will last longer, as will the recovery period.

Gymnastics for the elbow joint is necessary at all stages of the rehabilitation period. It begins 2-3 days after applying a plaster cast.

The average recovery period for an elbow fracture is 3-4 months. However, this period can increase depending on the severity of the injury and reach six months. To make rehabilitation faster and more effective, it is carried out in 3 stages, selecting specific exercises for each of them.

1. The first stage is the period when a plaster cast is applied to the fractured joint. The training involves the shoulder girdle and. Since all the links upper limb are a single “chain” connected by ligaments, tendons and muscles, even at the stage of immobilization. Physical exercise combined with breathing exercises.
2. The second stage is the period immediately after the removal of the plaster. This time is devoted to developing “stagnant” ligaments and muscles. Classes are combined with taking warm baths. Execution shown.
3. At the third stage, the goal of training is to completely restore the functionality of muscle tissue, ligaments and tendons. Exercises to develop the elbow joint are combined with physiotherapeutic procedures, massage, and other physical activity.

Training at each stage is carried out 2-3 times a day every day, and each exercise is repeated at least 5 times. Severe pain and discomfort are a reason to stop exercising or reduce the load. During the rehabilitation period, you should not lift heavy objects with your injured arm, do presses or pull-ups.

• Swelling of the injured joint;
• Pain that radiates to the shoulder;
• Accumulation of calcium salts in muscle tissue;
• Reflex contraction of muscle tissue;
• “Growth” of bone in the elbow joint.

When can you begin remedial measures?

After a fracture of the elbow joint, exercise therapy begins 2-3 days after applying the plaster, but only after prior consultation with a doctor. Such caution is associated with possible displacement of bone tissue. In this case, any load on the injured limb will be contraindicated until the cast is removed.

Massage and exercise therapy course

The intensity of the activity increases as the broken bone heals. Complex physical therapy is selected individually at each stage. The same rule applies to massage.

It is not recommended to use it at the first stage of treatment and recovery. However, some doctors prescribe massage in the shoulder girdle, provided that the fracture is not displaced. Properly performed massage sessions help improve blood flow and strengthen ligaments and muscles. Independent appointments in this case are unacceptable!

Let's present examples of sets of exercises for the elbow joint at each stage of recovery.

Exercises to help develop the elbow at stage 1

While the arm is in a cast, training is limited to performing the following exercises:

1. Clenching your fingers into a fist and unclenching it;
2. Spreading the fingers to the sides and bringing them together;
3. Circular movements with each finger alternately clockwise and back;
4. Kneading plasticine with fingers;
5. Rolling balls with your fingers.

When performing exercises, remember that the injured elbow, enclosed in a cast, should not participate in the training process.

Exercises to help develop the elbow at stage 2

After removing the plaster cast, the arm becomes swollen, making it difficult to perform exercises. To make the task easier, the patient needs to lie on his back and place his hand above his head for 20-30 seconds. This time is enough for the swelling to subside a little, and with it the discomfort of doing the exercises goes away. Also, to eliminate swelling and discomfort, a special bandage is used, which will help limit the range of movements.

Let's list a few exercises that, if performed during this period of rehabilitation, will not harm, but will help all patients.

1. Sit down, put your hands on the table. Imitate playing the piano by slowly “drumming” your fingers on the table.
2. Give it up tennis ball so that it hits the wall. Try to catch the ball that bounces off the wall with your hand.
3. Bring your palms together and lower them down, then return them to the starting position.
4. Stretch the anti-stress ball regularly.
5. Lock your fingers together. Raise and lower your clasped hands above your head.
6. Hold 2-3 balls in your palm and vigorously rotate them, rolling them with your fingers.
7. Place your hand on the table. Slowly, controlling your breathing, try to straighten your elbow. Remember that sudden movements aimed at “working” the elbow joint are not yet permissible.
8. Continue to clench and unclench your fingers regularly.

Exercises to help develop the elbow at stage 3

The last period of rehabilitation also takes place under the supervision of a doctor. At this stage, additional treatment in the form of physiotherapy is most often prescribed. The exercises become more complicated, they can be performed with a load in the form of dumbbells of 1 kg each.

1. Interlace your fingers into a lock. Imagine that you need to cast a fishing rod as far as possible. Repeat the movements, changing the direction of the fishing rod, moving your hands to the right and then to the left.
2. Place your hands behind your back so that you can clasp your palms together.
3. Repeat the previous exercise. With your hands clasped behind your back, stand on your toes, stretching your body up and your arms down.
4. Play "cars". While rolling a child's toy, the flexion and extension functions of the elbow joint are developed.
5. Place your hands at chest level. Interlace your fingers. “Take” the lock alternately to the right shoulder, then to the left, to the head, to the stomach.

Once these exercises become easy for you, start using dumbbells.

Useful video - exercise therapy for the elbow. Part 1

Why do you need to develop a joint?

Rehabilitation exercises should be started as early as possible. Such “emergency” measures are related to the fact that when a limb is immobilized, the nutrition of its tissues, vessels and muscles is disrupted. Poor blood circulation in the area of ​​the elbow joint will lead to partial or complete atrophy of muscles and ligaments, loss of their elasticity. The tendons shorten and become thinner. The reduced size of ligaments and tendons negatively affects the functioning of the joint: they cannot “protect” it from sprains. All this causes partial or complete immobilization of the hand.

What is prohibited during the rehabilitation period

The most common mistake patients make after an elbow fracture is choosing rehabilitation exercises on their own. No matter how simple the exercises may seem, the doctor must select them taking into account the characteristics of the injury. Incorrectly made or selected exercise therapy complex can bring more harm than its absence.

It is also dangerous to massage a damaged elbow joint on your own. A particularly unfavorable outcome awaits the patient if you massage the injured arm immediately after removing the plaster cast. Unprofessional actions will lead to joint displacement, the formation of a bone spur or muscle rupture.

Another common mistake is placing stress on the injured arm immediately after removing the cast. Do not assume that the end of immobilization means a complete recovery. This is only the first part of the treatment. Only after systematic and consistent development of the joint can you gradually begin dosed loading. Incorrectly selected physical activity will lead to swelling, pain and deformation of the joint tissue.

Continuation. Video - Exercise therapy for the elbow. Part 2