Elbow Arthroscopy — Loose Body Removal and Arthroscopic Debridement of the Elbow

UW Health Sports Medicine · UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine Physician group

Weight-Bearing

N/A (elbow surgery)

Key Restrictions

5-pound lifting restriction 1-2 weeks; no gripping or impact Phase I; no effusion before Phase II advancement; avoid elbow pain >4/10 during activity; post-exercise pain lasting >12 hours = overexertion; post-activity soreness resolves within 24 hours

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-2 wks): AAROM hand/wrist/elbow, shoulder AROM, no gripping/impact, 5 lb limit; Phase II (3-6 wks): full AROM flexion/extension/supination/pronation, low load isotonics biceps/triceps/forearm; Phase III (7-12 wks): reactive strengthening, sport-specific programs (interval throwing/hitting), proximal/core strengthening; RTS with therapist clearance based on strength/endurance/mobility

Notes

Arthroscopic elbow procedure covering loose body removal, cartilage debridement, bone spur removal, and capsular/scar tissue release. Short 3-phase protocol; RTS typically by 12 weeks. Updated 11/2019. Copyright 2019.

Surgeon / Author

UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine Physician group

Published

2019-11