Repair of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Elbow: Rehabilitation Following Internal Brace Surgery

Wilk, Kevin E.; Arrigo, Christopher A.; Bagwell, Michael S; Rothermich, Marcus A.; Dugas, Jeffrey R.

doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8215

Cited by 35 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The rehabilitation process in this study has several characteristics. First, it includes ROM exercise, which for the safety of the wound, is recommended to begin at 2 weeks after surgery [ 9 ]; however, in other programs, it is recommended to be performed immediately after surgery to reduce stiffness, pain, and inflammation [ 10 ]. Based on the results from ROM with other joints [ 19 , 30 ], this study was based on the premise that early ROM exercise is safe and has many advantages.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another component of our rehabilitation program is elbow isotonic strength training, which is generally recommended at 6 weeks after surgery [ 9 , 10 ]. However, it was said that the scapular mobilization exercise, grip exercise, and isometric elbow muscle exercise, which does not negatively affect the surgical site, can be performed immediately after surgery [ 10 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The rehabilitation program referred to previous studies on elbow, shoulder, and upper body rehabilitation [ 7 , 9 , 10 , 15 ]. Each phase of rehabilitation exercises are summarized in Table 2 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, in a study in which throwing began after surgery, rehabilitation took, on average, 4.4 months and patients were, on average, able to return to games after 11.6 months [ 6 ]. Another study involving a large number of ulnar collateral ligament patients in which range of motion (ROM) and concentric strength exercises were started 2 and 3 weeks, respectively, after surgery reported that it took 5 months to return to the game after surgery and rehabilitation [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the frequency of injury to the elbow MCL is relatively high in athletes in sports that require repetitive overhead motions such as throwing, there are many related rehabilitation studies [ 9 , 10 ]. In addition, one study introduced a rehabilitation program conducted immediately after surgery [ 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Early Rehabilitation after Surgical Repair of Medial and Lateral Collateral Elbow Ligaments: A Report of Three Cases

Kim

Choi

Lee

2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Elbow ligament injuries are commonly caused by overuse; degeneration; and trauma; such as from a fall or collision. The purpose of this study was to present the results of three cases involving patients undergoing early rehabilitation after surgical treatment for complex injury of the elbow medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Two patients were non-athlete middle-aged women and one was a recreational judo player. Surgery was performed through open incision or arthroscopically. Rehabilitation consisted of range of motion (ROM) exercise; muscle strength restoration; and neuromuscular training. Passive ROM exercise and isometric strength exercise began at 7 days; isotonic strength training at 6 weeks; and neuromuscular training at 3 months after operation. Center- and home-based methods of exercise participation were combined. Center-based exercises were performed 1–2 times per week for the first 6 months and 1–2 times per month for the next 6 months. Patients also performed home-based and self-monitoring exercise. Examinations included ROM using a goniometer; muscle strength test using isokinetic equipment; and Oxford elbow score. In the six months after surgery; flexion ROM was 130° for Case A (health side 145°), 110° for Case B (health side 145°), and 135° for Case C (health side 135°); grip strength was restored to 13 kg (health side 28 kg), 16 kg (health side 25 kg), and 38 kg (health side 52 kg); and isokinetic flexion strength was improved to 30 Nm (health side 58 Nm), 21 Nm (health side 50 Nm), and 72 Nm (health side 80 Nm), respectively. In conclusion; patients who underwent early rehabilitation recovered ROM and muscle strength and returned to daily activity without any side effects. This study showed that patients with elbow MCL and LCL injuries took approximately 3 months to recover meaningful ROM; approximately 6 months to recover muscle strength; and 4–8 months to play light recreational sports. In addition; it took patients 6 weeks to return to their daily activities and 6 months to improve questionnaire scores in their function and pain during daily activity. In follow-up two years after surgery; all three patients had full ROM and muscle strength within 10% of the healthy side

show abstract