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Rehabilitation of the Overhead Athlete’s Elbow

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Book cover Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

Abstract

The act of the overhead throw, especially pitching, produces high levels of forces at the elbow joint. The elbow joint is a frequently injured region of the body in the overhead athlete due to the large amount of forces observed during the act of throwing, playing tennis, or playing golf. Injuries often occur due to the repetitive microtrauma nature of throwing. Rehabilitation following injury or surgery to the throwing elbow is vital to fully restore the normal function and to return the athlete to competition as quickly and safely as possible. Rehabilitation of the elbow, whether postinjury or postsurgical, must follow a progressive and sequential order to ensure that healing tissues have not been compromised. Emphasis is placed on restoring full motion, muscular strength, and neuromuscular control, while gradually applying loads to healing tissue. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of a multiphased rehabilitation program for the overhead athlete’s elbow. In addition, rehabilitation for specific nonoperative and postoperative pathologies in the overhead athlete is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Champion Sports Medicine, Physiotherapy Associates, 805 St. Vincent’s Dr., Ste G100, 35205, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Kevin E. Wilk PT, DPT

  2. Physiotherapy Associates Scottsdale Sports Clinic, Scottsdale, USA

    Todd S. Ellenbecker

  3. Clinical Research, Physiotherapy Associates, Scottsdale, USA

    Todd S. Ellenbecker

  4. Physical Therapy, Champion Physical Therapy and Performance, Waltham, MA, USA

    Leonard C. Macrina MSPT, SCS, CSCS

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  1. Kevin E. Wilk PT, DPT
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  2. Todd S. Ellenbecker
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  3. Leonard C. Macrina MSPT, SCS, CSCS
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Correspondence to Kevin E. Wilk PT, DPT .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA

    Joshua S. Dines

  2. Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA

    David W. Altchek

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Wilk, K., Ellenbecker, T., Macrina, L. (2015). Rehabilitation of the Overhead Athlete’s Elbow. In: Dines, J., Altchek, D. (eds) Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7540-9_27

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