Lateral Collateral Ligament Reconstruction

Lateral Collateral Ligament Reconstruction

PHASE I: Early ROM & Protect Repair (0 to 6 weeks)

• Splint and postop dressing remains in place for the first week.
• Sutures will be removed by surgeon in 10-14 days.
• Night splint (60 degrees flexion) is to be worn during the day and night (after the initial dressing removed)
• Initiate elbow exercise program 5 times per day:
• Passive and active elbow ROM to full flexion
• Elbow extension to 30 (with forearm pronated)
• Forearm pronation/supination ROM with elbow at 90 degrees flexion
• Grip and wrist/hand AROM immediately.
• Avoid terminal 30 degrees extension, perform supination ROM only with the elbow flexed to 90 degrees.

PHASE II: Full ROM and function (>6 weeks)

• Discontinue night splint.
• Advance ROM:
• Full elbow and forearm ROM
• Terminal elbow extension performed with the forearm neutral or pronated until 3 months.
• Initiate elbow and forearm strengthening.
• Avoid varus forces across the elbow until 3 months postop.
• Avoid activities creating axial load to involved extremity until 3 months postop.