Rehabilitation

Abstract

Injuries to the elbow during sport occur commonly because of the large forces encountered during the act of throwing, serving or from direct blows. Rehabilitation following injury or surgery is vital to restore normal athletic function, and to return an individual to sport as quickly and as safely as possible. Rehabilitation follows a phased approach to ensure vulnerable tissues are protected, whilst avoiding complications of immobilisation. The aims of rehabilitation are to restore full motion with strength and neuromuscular control, tailoring programmes so that they are specific to the individual and their chosen sport. Rehabilitation focuses not only on the upper limb but on the whole kinetic chain.