This document, authored by Jared T. Lee, MD, provides a rehabilitation plan for patients following an Olecranon ORIF (Open Reduction Internal Fixation) procedure.
The document is divided into four phases, each outlining:
- **Restrictions:** Guidelines for brace usage (posterior arm splint, removable elbow orthosis), weight-lifting limitations, and activity restrictions.
- **Therapeutic Exercises:** Prescribed activities for each phase, focusing on range of motion (wrist, hand, finger, shoulder, neck, elbow), strengthening (scapular, rotator cuff, forearm, wrist, elbow), and functional progression (PNF patterns, UBE biking, plyometrics).
- **Goals:** Objectives for each phase, such as protecting the repair, restoring range of motion, minimizing pain, initiating muscle activation and strengthening, progressing functional and sport-specific activities, and achieving discharge criteria.
- **Criteria for Discharge:** Specific metrics for discharge, including strength deficit (less than 10%), limb similarity index (90% or greater), functional test scores (if performed), and absence of pain or instability.
The phases progress from initial post-operative care with a posterior arm splint to full return to activity and sports, with increasing exercise intensity and functional demands. The protocol includes specifics on passive, active, and active-assisted range of motion exercises, as well as various strengthening exercises and plyometric progressions.
