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Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury of the Elbow Exercises
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Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury of the Elbow Exercises: Illustration
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Your healthcare provider may recommend exercises to help you heal. Talk to your healthcare provider or physical therapist about which exercises will best help you and how to do them correctly and safely.
You may do the stretching exercises right away. You may do the strengthening exercises when stretching is nearly painless.
- Wrist active range of motion, flexion and extension: Bend the wrist of your injured arm forward and back as far as you can. Do 2 sets of 15.
- Wrist stretch: Press the back of the hand on your injured side with your other hand to help bend your wrist. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Next, stretch the hand back by pressing the fingers in a backward direction. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Keep the arm on your injured side straight during this exercise. Do 3 sets.
- Forearm pronation and supination: Bend the elbow of your injured arm 90 degrees, keeping your elbow at your side. Turn your palm up and hold for 5 seconds. Then slowly turn your palm down and hold for 5 seconds. Make sure you keep your elbow at your side and bent 90 degrees while you do the exercise. Do 2 sets of 15.
- Mid-trap exercise: Lie on your stomach on a firm surface and place a folded pillow underneath your chest. Place your arms out straight to your sides with your elbows straight and thumbs toward the ceiling. Slowly raise your arms toward the ceiling as you squeeze your shoulder blades together. Lower slowly. Do 3 sets of 15. As the exercise gets easier to do, hold soup cans or small weights in your hands.
- Wrist flexion: Hold a can or hammer handle in your hand with your palm facing up. Bend your wrist upward. Slowly lower the weight and return to the starting position. Do 2 sets of 15. Gradually increase the weight of the can or weight you are holding.
- Wrist flexion with ulnar deviation: Hold a can or hammer handle with your palm facing up. Bend your wrist upward and toward the pinky side of your hand. Slowly return to the starting position. Do 2 sets of 15. Gradually increase the weight of the object you are holding.
- Grip strengthening: Squeeze a soft rubber ball and hold the squeeze for 5 seconds. Do 2 sets of 15.
- Forearm pronation and supination strengthening: Hold a soup can or hammer handle in your hand and bend your elbow 90 degrees. Slowly turn your hand so your palm is up and then down. Do 2 sets of 15.
- Resisted elbow flexion and extension: Hold a can of soup with your palm up. Slowly bend your elbow so that your hand is coming toward your shoulder. Then lower it slowly so your arm is completely straight. Do 2 sets of 15. Slowly increase the weight you are using.
Hsu J, Schafer D, Koh J, Nuber G. In vivo three-dimensional mechanical actions of individual flexor-pronator muscles: role in elbow valgus stability. Journal Of Applied Biomechanics [serial online]. November 2008;24(4):325-332. Available from: CINAHL with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed December 29, 2011.
Park M, Ahmad C. Dynamic contributions of the flexor-pronator mass to elbow valgus stability. The Journal Of Bone And Joint Surgery. American Volume [serial online]. October 2004;86-A(10):2268-2274. Available from: MEDLINE, Ipswich, MA. Accessed December 29, 2011.
Last Modified: 2014-06-09
Last Reviewed: 2014-05-07
Website Updated: October 2014
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