BICEPS TENDON REPAIR

REHABILITATION PROTOCOL

PHASE I

RANGE OF
MOTION

IMMOBILIZER

THERAPEUTIC
EXERCISE

None

Locked in neutral - worn at all

Gentle wrist and shoulder ROM

0 - 3 weeks

times

PHASE II

Active extension to 30

Worn at all times (including

3 - 6 weeks

in brace

exercise) - removed for hygiene

Continue with wrist and shoulder ROM,

begin active extension to 30 , NO
active flexion, gentle joint mobilizations

PHASE III

Active extension to 0

6 - 9 weeks

brace

in

Worn at all times (including

Continue to maintain wrist and shoulder

exercise) - removed for hygiene

flexibility, begin rotator cuff/deltoid

isometrics, progress active extension
in brace

PHASE IV

Gently advance ROM to

9 - 12 weeks

tolerance

None

Begin active flexion and extension

against gravity, advance strengthening
in phase III to resistive, maintain flexibility/
ROM

PHASE V

Gradual return to full and

12 weeks 6 months

pain-free

PHASE VI

Full and pain-free

6 months and
beyond

None

Begin gentle flexion strengthening,

advance activities in phase IV

None

Return to full activity

ELBOW MCL RECONSTRUCTION

REHABILITATION PROTOCOL

PHASE I

RANGE OF
MOTION

IMMOBILIZER

Passive ROM to tolerance

Brace locked at 0 - 90 and to

Scapular stabilizing exercises, gentle

be worn at all times

rotator cuff strengthening, gentle hand/

2 - 4 weeks

THERAPEUTIC
EXERCISE

wrist/shoulder ROM

PHASE II

Begin AAROM to full flexion*

4 - 6 weeks

Brace locked at 0 - 90 and to

Advance exercises in phase I

be worn at all times

PHASE III

Progress to full motion

6 - 12 weeks

without discomfort

None

Continue with scapular and rotator cuff

strengthening, begin forearm resistance
exercises -first in flexion and then
advance to extension

PHASE IV

Full and pain-free

3 - 5 months

None

Continue with shoulder strengthening,

begin aggressive rotational exercises,
light tossing, and sport-specific activities

*No forced full flexion

POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS (TENNIS ELBOW) SURGERY
DIET

Begin with clear liquids and light foods (jellos, soups, etc.)
Progress to your normal diet if you are not nauseated

WOUND CARE
Maintain your operative dressing, loosen bandage if swelling of the wrist or hand occurs
It is normal for the elbow to bleed and swell following surgery if blood soaks onto the bandage,
do not become alarmed reinforce with additional dressing
Remove surgical dressing on the third post-operative day if minimal drainage is present, apply a
clean dressing over incisions and change daily
To avoid infection, keep surgical incisions clean and dry you may shower starting the day after
surgery if you seal the surgical site with plastic around the ACE or over the band-aids if beyond
the third post-operative day. NO immersion of operative arm (i.e. bath)
MEDICATIONS
Pain medication is injected into the wound and elbow joint during surgery this will wear off
within 8-12 hours
Most patients will require some narcotic pain medication for a short period of time this can be
taken as per directions on the bottle
Common side effects of the pain medication are nausea, drowsiness, and constipation to
decrease the side effects, take medication with food if constipation occurs, consider taking an
over-the-counter laxative
If you are having problems with nausea and vomiting, contact the office to possibly have your
medication changed (312-243-4244 ask for Dr. Coles nurse)
Do not drive a car or operate machinery while taking the narcotic medication
Ibuprofen 200-400mg (i.e. Advil) may be taken in between the narcotic pain medication to help
smooth out the post-operative peaks and valleys, reduce overall amount of pain medication
required, and increase the time intervals between narcotic pain medication usage
ACTIVITY
Elevate the operative arm to chest level whenever possible to decrease swelling
When sleeping or resting, inclined positions (i.e. reclining chair) and a pillow under the forearm
for support may provide better comfort
Do not engage in activities which increase pain/swelling (lifting or any repetitive
wrist/elbow/shoulder movements) over the first 7-10 days following surgery
Avoid long periods of sitting (without arm elevated) or long distance traveling for 2 weeks
NO driving until instructed otherwise by physician
May return to sedentary work ONLY or school 3-4 days after surgery, if pain is tolerable
IMMOBILIZER
Your sling should be worn for comfort and removed for exercise and hygiene
You may remove for gentle range of motion of your shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand
ICE THERAPY
Begin immediately after surgery
Use icing machine continuously or ice packs (if machine not prescribed) every 2 hours for 20
minutes daily until your first post-operative visit remember to keep arm elevated to level of chest
while icing

EXERCISE
Gentle shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand range of motion exercises can be performed beginning on
the first post-operative day
Formal physical therapy (PT) will begin about 10-14 days post-operatively with a prescription
provided at your first post-operative visit
EMERGENCIES**
Contact Dr. Cole or his nurse at 312-243-4244 if any of the following are present:
Painful swelling or numbness
Unrelenting pain
Fever (over 101 - it is normal to have a low grade fever for the first day or two following
surgery) or chills
Redness around incisions
Color change in wrist or hand
Continuous drainage or bleeding from incision (a small amount of drainage is expected)
Difficulty breathing
Excessive nausea/vomiting
**If you have an emergency after office hours or on the weekend, contact the same office number (312243-4244) and you will be connected to our page service they will contact Dr. Cole or one of his fellows
if he is unavailable. Do NOT call the hospital or surgicenter.
**If you have an emergency that requires immediate attention, proceed to the nearest emergency room.
FOLLOW-UP CARE/QUESTIONS
If you have any questions/concerns, Michelle DiMasi, RN, (Dr. Cole's nurse) is an excellent
resource. She can be reached at 312-243-4244, extension 4130.
If you do not already have a post-operative appointment scheduled, please contact the office
immediately at 312-243-4244
Typically post-operative appointments are made for 7-10 days following the date of surgery
Office locations preferred for post-operative visits are:
River City Office
800 S. Wells, #M-30
Chicago, IL 60607

Oak Park Office

610 S. Maple Ave., Suite 1400
Oak Park, IL 60304