Triceps Repair — Triceps Tendon Repair

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

Weight-Bearing

N/A (elbow surgery)

Key Restrictions

No weight bearing through surgical arm (no pushing/pressing including own body weight) for 12 weeks; no resisted elbow or shoulder extension weeks 0-6; shoulder elevation limited to 90° weeks 0-6; no lifting >5 lbs weeks 7-12; triceps resisted strengthening begins Phase IV (12-18 wks); re-rupture rate <5% with protocol compliance

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-2 wks): splint, wrist AROM/shoulder to 90°, no WB on arm; Phase II (2-6 wks): hinged brace 0°-60° wks 3-4 → 0°-90° wks 5-6, passive/AAROM elbow, active shoulder to 90°; Phase III (7-12 wks): progressive AROM to full ROM by 12 wks, 5 lb limit, RC isometrics; Phase IV (12-18 wks): resisted triceps (BFR start, concentric → eccentric, wall push-ups), RC >90° ABD, sprinting 75% wk16; Phase V (18-20+ wks): interval throwing, plyometrics, sport-specific, RTS isokinetic testing

Notes

Distal triceps tendon reattachment via bone tunnels or suture anchors. Critical: no pushing/pressing movements including own body weight for 12 weeks (re-rupture rate <5% with compliance). Triceps strengthening delayed until Phase IV. Neurocognitive strategies Phases IV-V. Copyright 2024.

Surgeon / Author

UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine physician group

Published

2024