Targeted exercises as part of physiotherapy after an elbow dislocation are of crucial importance for successful rehabilitation. The elbow joint loses a lot of muscle strength due to immobilization after repositioning and stiffens due to lack of movement. The goal of physiotherapy is to relax the muscles and mobilize the elbow through manual therapy and special exercises. In this way, adhesions are avoided and stiffening of the joint is prevented. Also during immobilization it is useful to start with passive exercises as far as possible, so that a smooth healing process is not hindered.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for an elbow dislocation should ideally take place on the day of repositioning. This is due to the fact that early mobilization can prevent later problems such as muscle and connective tissue sticking together and improve the collagenous reconstruction of the joint as well as the metabolism of the cartilage, thus promoting healing. Various treatment approaches are available in physiotherapy.
In the beginning, the primary goal is the treatment of the patient’s pain and passive mobilization. Depending on the type and extent of the injury, the therapist can work here, for example, with cold applications or use various grip techniques of manual therapy to move the joint passively within the bounds of possibility and massage the musculature in a targeted manner to avoid tension. In order to counteract excessive swelling of the joint, many patients are prescribed lymph drainage, especially after surgical treatment of elbow dislocation.
This technique stimulates the lymph flow of the body and helps to remove excess fluid more effectively. When the acute phase of the injury is over, i.e. there is no more pain and the arm can be moved again, the active phase of physiotherapy begins. Here the aim is to be able to move the elbow joint again without restriction, to strengthen the muscles and to combat existing instabilities.
Depending on how long the arm has been immobilized, it may be necessary to include the shoulder and wrist in the treatment, as these can also show pain in movement and muscle loss after the long period of rest. In this phase, the focus of the therapy is on exercises specially adapted to the patient, which contribute to stretching, strengthening and stabilizing the elbow joint. The physiotherapist will draw up a training plan for this purpose, which the patient should continue to follow at home on his own responsibility. The use of Kinesiotapes can also help to support the elbow during rehabilitation.
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