Richard Haynes PTA/CPT - 5/21/2009

Question
Hello sir,
 I am an 18 year old male from India. It has been 4 months exactly since i fractured my left elbow(intercondylar fracture). I underwent a surgery with plates and cancellous screw fixations. I now have a pretty good ROM. Flexion 10 degrees remaining and extension 20 degrees. I visited my surgeon last week and he told that healing process is complete and i can do all activities. So i have planned to start weight training again. However i am confused as to how i must start. Can i perform all exercises? How can i progress with weights? How many reps should i do with a weight and when can i move to next weight? Can i bench press? Should i regain full rom and then start with gym or can i start right away? Please help me sir!

Thank you

Answer
Adithya,

You have multiple questions here and most of them would take hands on instruction to proceed correctly.

You might want to seek a local personal trainer in your area if you have one to get you started.

Better yet you should seek a  physiotherapist who will have better knowledge in what you are up against.

I can tell you this you will want to start with a very light weight to get the area strengthened again and to be sure it will hold up.

Your ability to see what exercises you can do will have to be tried by you again using very light weight to see how  you and the elbow responds
Remember how your elbow reacts will be that night and the following day after you start weight training. You may be familiar with delayed onset muscles soreness.

Getting your full range of motion first will be important before you get into any serious weight training.

Use a weight you can get 12-20 reps with and are safe with and pain free.

Again though if you can get personal instruction so you do not injure yourself.

Richard Haynes
Punta Gorda, Florida.