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Elbow and forearm rehabilitation without injury
A guide to elbow and forearm problems without a single injury. Find the topic that matches the established diagnosis before choosing a detailed exercise programme.
Problems an orthopaedic surgeon assesses in this area
The topics below provide an overview. Detailed exercise protocols are being developed as separate pages; these summaries are not complete exercise programmes.
Tennis elbow
Lateral elbow symptoms involving the wrist extensor origin. This topic covers loading during gripping, hand use and return to activity.
Golfer’s elbow
Medial elbow problems around the origin of the wrist flexor and forearm pronator muscles. The location and tissues differ from those involved in tennis elbow.
Distal biceps tendinopathy
Diagnosed overuse symptoms at the front of the elbow. This topic does not cover an acute tendon rupture or rehabilitation following surgical reattachment.
Triceps tendon symptoms
Symptoms around the triceps tendon at the back of the elbow. The programme must match the diagnosis; pain in this area may need to be distinguished from other causes.
Elbow stiffness and osteoarthritis
Restricted bending or straightening and difficulties with daily activities in chronic conditions. Stiffness following a recent injury belongs to the separate injury pathway.
What to prepare before planning rehabilitation
Prepare information about difficulties with gripping, carrying and forearm rotation. It helps to distinguish restricted joint movement from pain that appears during muscle use.
An appropriate programme is selected for the diagnosis and current ability, rather than symptom similarity alone. If the cause is unclear, discuss it with a doctor or physiotherapist first.
Author: Tomasz Poboży - orthopaedic surgeon, MD, PhD. Educational information; it does not replace individual assessment and advice.