Rehabilitation after UCLR: 2-6 Weeks Post-Op

During this phase of rehabilitation after UCLR, elbow range of motion (ROM) is increased gradually (i.e.5 degrees/week). The goal of this phase is to regain full ROM by the week 6, especially extension, control pain/inflammation, and retard muscle atrophy. Shoulder and scapula strengthening exercises can be initiated in this phase as well as some forearm exercises such as grip exercises and wrist exercises. It is more common to use the muscle splitting technique than cutting the forearm muscles to reconstruct UCL, however, aggressive forearm strengthening targeting the wrist flexors/forearm pronators using heavy weights should be avoided in this phase. If the forearm muscles are cut, any forearm flexor strengthening should be avoided at least 6 weeks after surgery. Some of the shoulder and scapular exercises can be found on our website (Note that some of these exercises may not be allowed in some protocols). Also note that any strengthening exercise should be done pain-free. All of the rehabilitation exercises (ROM and strengthening) are to be progressed based on tissue healing and athletes' tolerance.