Elbow stiffness after surgery

[sietzeh]

Hi Dannie,

with your hetertopic ossification the natural healing of the elbow does not follow a "normal" recovery, while the elbows is already known to recover a far bit slower than for example the knee. Remaining restrictions to extension are quite common. I agree with the surgeon that you should try, with all your effort (combined with despair and tears), to move it. So, I think that some of your pain and immobility is normal and nothing (easily put and said) to be worried about. (although it is quite normal again that you are ;-) ) To my opinion one should never exceed a pain score 5 out of 10, especially when the exercise leaves you with extra pain for longer than 15 minutes.
BUT When the extra pain, caused by the physio/exercise or normal activities, settles down within 10-15 minutes the loaded tissue of the elbow is able to cope with the activities and should be able to reinforce/gain strength. That is some sort of a ideal training respons. So you may have (extra) pain with or after exercising, but it should subsides within 15 minutes after stopping the exercise. Then it is a normal response to loading and although not a nice experience or feeling, it gives the damaged tissue the right stimulus to recover.

My only concern is that negative thoughts about the misdiagnosis and future does not help recovery. You should nevertheless address this, but put or leave/share it with somebody who is knowledgeable about such issues to tackle this. Scientific data shows that negative thoughts about misdiagnosis/law suits/blaming/anxiety has a very bad impact on recovery and rehabilitation. It lengthens rehab and has a lesser outcome. From a holistic point of view or better said, the bio-psycho-social approach one could say that a human only has f.e. 5 cans of energy a day to repair it from daily stress and damage. When 2 or 3 of these cans are used up by concerns and worries, that energy can not be put anymore in healing of our soft tissue etc. So, it can be wise to see a psychologist or a physiotherapist who is trained or familiar with Graded Motor Imagery or Explain Pain theories. see NOI | Neuro Orthopaedic Institute


I will not give advise about the sort of exercises, but to my modest opinion and experience, the subsiding respons to loading/exercise is very wise and should be followed, although it lacks scientific support (Like most of the medical knowledge/thoughts/ideas about musculoskeletal disorders).

I wish you lots of luck and strength in your way to recovery. It will be a long haul. When walking such a long way it is very wise to keep your eye to the horizon (where do you wish to go, where do you wish to be one year from today, so that you will not get lost) and look back frequently in order to see what you already have gained or achieved. Rehab is like walking in the mountains, the top seems not to get closer, but when you look back one gets scared of the elevation....and there will be set backs and little falls. But as long as you keep your ropes attached and healthy (with family and friends, good physio and maybe other support) you will reach the top. When there is a set back (bad weather), pause your trip, take shelter and wait until it subsides/eases (it will!!!) and continue your trip

Sietze