torn lateral UCL

[berlinmom]

my daughter recently had an injury: hyperextending the elbow and now has a torn lateral UCL, muscle tear of the digitorum profundus muscle and partial tear of common flexor tendon at the medial epicondyle. Can anyone help with recovery time, more information related to such an injury. She is very involved in sport activitites. She has been in a cast now for three weeks, is there other treatment to consider, i.e. surgery, physical therapy etc...?

[Heidi]

Hi,

these types of injuries do take time to heal and rest is good initially.

Once she is taken out of the cast, it will most likely be very stiff. So this is the first task....physical therapy to increase the pain-free range of motion at the elbow. This should be followed by strengthening exercises for both the upper arm muscles and the forearm muscles. Ultrasound and massage will also help to speed the repair of the ligaments and muscle.

As for time scales, this is difficult to say, it will take time. I think, at an educated guess, you will be looking at another 2-4 months to full recovery.

Surgery isn't usually necessary in partial tears either

Good luck!

[berlinmom]

Thanks for your reply

My daughter did get her cast off yesterday, ROM is very limited. Physical therapy not ordered, physcian stated to do therapy ourselves at home???? Did not show us what to do, did not examine her arm just told us to return in three weeks....Not sure what to do now.

[Heidi]

That is quite shocking that they didnt even show you some exercises!

Anyway, what she first needs to try and do is get the elbow moving again without pain. Was it is a straight cast or bent? Either way really get her to hold a towel in both hands and pull it with the other hand to straighten or bend the elbow a little further than she can currently move it. This should all be done pain free. It may ache but a sharp pain should be avoided.

If she can, get her to start doing some isometric wrist exercises. This means contracting the muscles without movement. So providing some resistance with the other hand or against a wall or table etc, get her to try to flex the wrist against the resistance, but so there isn't any movement. Hold the contraction for 10 seconds and repeat 5-10 times. Again this should be pain free.

Once movement and strength start to improve get her some resistance band to do wrist and elbow strengthening exercises, using the band as resistance. She should do wrist flexion and extension and bicep curls for the elbow.

I hope this helps you,

Good luck!