Non-Operative — Radial Head Fracture Rehabilitation

Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS)

Weight-Bearing

N/A (non-operative)

Key Restrictions

No strengthening in Phase I; sling discontinued as tolerated; PT frequency 2-3x/week for 6 weeks

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-6 days, immobilization): sling for comfort discontinued as tolerated, limited motion for comfort with immediate AROM of hand/wrist, no strengthening, modalities (e-stim, TENS, ice 20 min); Phase II (1-2 wks, early ROM): remove sling when tolerated, PROM as tolerated in flexion/extension/pronation/supination (goal 15-115 deg by end of wk 2), continued gentle hand grip, isometric strengthening at elbow/wrist; Phase III (3-6 wks, increase ROM): continue elbow AROM/AAROM (goal full flexion/extension by wk 6), light isometric strengthening in flexion/extension, maintain shoulder and wrist strength/ROM; Phase IV (7+ wks, full ROM and function): obtain full pronation/supination (goal full ROM all planes by wk 8), advance isometric strengthening in flexion/extension including pronation/supination, isolate and improve deficits

Notes

OSMS Rehabilitation Guidelines; non-operative management; formatted as a PT prescription/referral order rather than narrative protocol