This document, authored by Jared T. Lee, MD, provides a rehabilitation plan for patients following a Triceps Tendon Repair.
The document is divided into five phases, each outlining:
- **Phases:** The protocol outlines 5 distinct phases of rehabilitation (Weeks 0-2, Weeks 2-5, Weeks 6-11, Weeks 12-15, Weeks 16+).
- **Goals:** Each phase has specific objectives, such as protecting the repair, restoring range of motion (ROM), minimizing pain, initiating muscle activation and strengthening, and progressing functional and sport-specific activities.
- **Restrictions:** Each phase lists restrictions, like wearing a posterior arm splint or hinged elbow brace, limitations on lifting weight (no more than 3 lbs initially), and specific movement limitations (no active extension for 6 weeks).
- **Therapeutic Exercises:** Prescribed exercises for each phase, including unrestricted hand and finger ROM, neck ROM and stretching, shoulder ROM, passive/active/active-assisted elbow flexion, light scapular strengthening, shoulder isometrics, grip strengthening, UBE biking (with and without resistance), core stabilization, manual resistance diagonal patterns, plyometrics, and a gradual return to sports with an interval throwing program.
- **Criteria for Discharge:** Specific metrics for discharge are mentioned, including a strength deficit of less than 10%, a limb similarity index of 90% or greater, a score of 45/50 on biomechanical functional tests (if performed), and no pain or complaints of instability.
The phases progress from initial post-operative care with a splint to full return to activity and sports, with increasing levels of exercise intensity and functional demands.
