I sustained an injury toward the beginning of my year round season. I dislocated my elbow, and I'm a freestyler (for the most part). My extension and contraction has been significantly reduced, although my physical therapist and I are trying to regain what was lost. I swim unevenly (you know what I mean, off balance) and I have lost strength in that arm. I have been kicking, and I still kind of stink at that - I never was a good kicker - but it's improving. My upper body has lost some stamina in races, due to the fact that I have been kicking since the beginning of September to just a few weeks ago, when I started using my arm.
Does anyone know how I could regain strength, flexibility, endurance, and mobility in my left elbow, after such an accident? Has anyone sustained a bad accident such as this?
Thanks.
--Arojekt.
Parents
Former Member
Broke both my arms @ the elbow @ the same time about 11 years ago.
had numerous screws, pins and wires put in during a surgery that lasted about 6 hours. (I swear the x-rays look like a block and tackle in there)
Started PT the day after surgery-OUCH!! When I was healed enough from the surgery that I was allowed to lift some weight I could barely pick up a pound, so beside aggressive manipulation I did a lot of weight lifting during PT. Spent about a year in PT. I had a splint similar to that one that helped greatly, but I also had wrist weights that i used. I have much more flexion and extension in my left arm but it isn't 100%. My right, however, is not good. I can not touch my shoulder at all and when I was dismissed from PT I had about 110 degrees of extension. I think it has improved a little bit since then but not much because the bones over healed and its like I have a door stop in my joint. The breaks have shortened my stroke length considerably. Eighty degree, or less, water makes my elbows ache something terrible. When you get back to swimming you may have to modify your stroke, but you will see improvement in your strength and flexibility I'm sure. Follow the advice of your PT and doctor. You wouldn't want to do something that could damage your elbow and make matters worse.
best of luck and a speedy recovery, Lainey
Broke both my arms @ the elbow @ the same time about 11 years ago.
had numerous screws, pins and wires put in during a surgery that lasted about 6 hours. (I swear the x-rays look like a block and tackle in there)
Started PT the day after surgery-OUCH!! When I was healed enough from the surgery that I was allowed to lift some weight I could barely pick up a pound, so beside aggressive manipulation I did a lot of weight lifting during PT. Spent about a year in PT. I had a splint similar to that one that helped greatly, but I also had wrist weights that i used. I have much more flexion and extension in my left arm but it isn't 100%. My right, however, is not good. I can not touch my shoulder at all and when I was dismissed from PT I had about 110 degrees of extension. I think it has improved a little bit since then but not much because the bones over healed and its like I have a door stop in my joint. The breaks have shortened my stroke length considerably. Eighty degree, or less, water makes my elbows ache something terrible. When you get back to swimming you may have to modify your stroke, but you will see improvement in your strength and flexibility I'm sure. Follow the advice of your PT and doctor. You wouldn't want to do something that could damage your elbow and make matters worse.
best of luck and a speedy recovery, Lainey
