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Elbow Stiffness
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Stiffness of the elbow
can be extremely problematic. Motion of this joint is vital to adequate
positioning of the hand. Stiffness of the elbow after injury or due to
arthritis can be very limiting. |
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If the stiffness is
due to arthritis, it usually will not respond to anything short of surgical
intervention. If the elbow stiffness is after an injury, however, it can
often be treated successfully without surgery if treatment is initiated early
and the patient is cooperative with the instructions. |
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As a result of the
above, the goal after elbow injury and/or surgery is to try to move the elbow
as soon as is it safely possible. Sometimes this means wearing a brace with
hinges in order to give the elbow some support while doing motion exercises.
One needs to work on bending (flexing) and straightening (extending) the elbow
as well as keeping the elbow at the side and turning the forearm so that the
palm faces up (supinate) and then the palm faces down (pronate). Like most
stretches, these stretches should be held for about one minute. Bouncing
should be avoided and the maneuver should not cause extreme pain, but one
should feel a good stretch. |
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