Post-Operative Therapy for Radial Head Fracture

 

Note: This pathway is designed to serve as a guide to rehabilitation. Indications for progression should be based on patient’s complete operative procedure, functional capacity and response to treatment.

Days 10-21:

• Elbow AAROM –> AROM into flexion and extension with elbow at side (adducted). No extension in supinated position.
• Shoulder, wrist/hand AROM/gentle strengthening with considerations of elbow involvement.

Goals

• Edema and pain control, wound care.
• Maintain AROM / prevent stiffness of cervical spine/shoulder/wrist/hand.
• Maintain integrity of repair including prosthesis, ligaments, tendons involved. Avoid supinated extension and any values forces on the elbow.
• 30-105 degrees elbow ROM by day 21.

Weeks 3-6:

• Continue AROM/exercises at surrounding joints.
• Continue AROM exercises at the elbow for flexion and extension.
  • Begin gradual isotonic strengthening into elbow flexion and extension.
• Begin AAROM –> AROM into pronation and supination.

Goals:

• Edema and pain control.
• Prevent stiffness of surrounding joints.
• Near full flexion / extension ROM by week 6.
  • Full extension typically more challenging to recover.

Weeks 7-12:

• Continue AROM/exercises at surrounding joints.
• Continue progression of AROM / isotonic strengthening exercises at the elbow for flexion, extension, pronation and supination.
• Address remaining deficits.

Goals:

• Prevent stiffness of surrounding joints.
• Full pronation/supination ROM by end of week 8.
• Regain full pain-free ROM and return to prior level of function.