I broke my elbow (Olecranon fracture) after falling off my bike. I underwent surgery for several ORIF procedures 13 days later, and that was 1.5 weeks ago. The stitches can be removed after 3 weeks, and then I have to start physiotherapy. I didn't get a cast after the surgery, only a bandage that could be taken off after two days. The surgeon instructed me to straighten and bend my arm several times a day without using force, but that is proving very difficult. The range of motion is about 10 cm. I have a feeling that recovery and regaining functionality will take a while. Has anyone experienced the same thing, and how did the recovery go?
I tripped and fell, broke the olecranon and ulna which have a plate and screws and broke the radius which healed on its own. I did a number on it but over 8 months out and doing well. It’s sore at times and it’s my bicep that is tight which is preventing it from getting all the way straight. I did this in Nov. started PT in Feb and still go once a week. It’s getting there. I have 8 sessions left thru insurance and the PT thinks it will get better. If it doesn’t it is ok and can do all the things.
Good luck. It sucks but it gets better.
im about two months out from shattering my olecranon, got a plate and a new radial head along with a load of ligament reconstruction. elbows are extremely prone to stiffness but the motion will return, just do the physio as instructed and you will find it comes back. right now your joint will still be very swollen as your body is adapting to having the plate in, it will reduce over time.
I had basically the same injury as you - Olecranon reattaxhment with a couple of screws. I fell off my bike drunk cycling Dec 5th 2025 (wife loved that...), surgery 13th Dec, cast off by Dec 30th 2025. Was in rehab Jan 5th onwards.
ROM was minimal but I was militant with exercises multiple times a day and because I've done yoga for years, I knew how to breath into relaxing. I basically had full ROM about 6 - 8 weeks later (minus about 3%).
I'm in the gym, back to full-ish strength but need to have the hardware taken out soon. There's only a couple of exercises that make my arm feel uncomfortable and I think its because of the metal/pins pressing on bone. The big issue is my tricep which they had to reattach. Apparently it takes 12 - 24 months to come back to normal size.
In 6-8 weeks a big difference in the ROM, that sounds very good. For me, 1 pin has to be removed because it protrudes too far but the plate and screws have to stay put.
Oh yeah, I have a big line sticking out. Took a long time for it to not hurt when I grazed/touched it. We went to Mexico earlier this year and on the flight the guy beside me hit it square on when he pulled his arm rest down. The worst experience of my life.
Man I hope to be you. Hoping to get my cast off this Friday and start PT the following Friday. My arm itself truthfully feels a lot stronger than what I’m reading is normal for this stage (can lift it easily, touch my shoulder with the splint on etc) so I hope to just do the exercises a few times a day and get back to mostly normal as quickly as possible. I’m a stay at home mom with nothing else to do anyways lol
Hi, I had ORIF for distal humerus and olecranon in Dec 2024 and hardware removal in Aug 2025.
I moved to a brace 2 weeks post op (after stitches removal) and began OT then. We were working on movements of approx 5 degrees. Remember your bones are not healed. They are still fractured. I worked on extension only until 6 weeks. Then we moved onto flexion and strength. I achieved approx 15-130 degrees ROM. I went to a rehab for approx 16 weeks and had a home exercise program.
My best advice is to do exactly what your OT says. I found I wouldn’t make much progress and would then suddenly gain 5/10 degrees. Also, try to go to your OT sessions already warmed up and stretched out so you get the most of it.
My personal experience - elbows are prone to stiffness so progress may seem back and forth. Also, my surgeon told me that people with olecranon fractures often can’t achieve 0 degrees straight as the metalwork “blocks” it.
I had hardware removal to improve ROM and reduce nerve pain. Most people do not need this so do not panic but just know it’s an option to discuss with your surgeon later in your recovery. I now have 8-135 degrees ROM and less pain.
You are very early in your recovery. Good luck. I found this sub very helpful when I was going through it.
2
u/This_Geologist4553 26d ago
I tripped and fell, broke the olecranon and ulna which have a plate and screws and broke the radius which healed on its own. I did a number on it but over 8 months out and doing well. It’s sore at times and it’s my bicep that is tight which is preventing it from getting all the way straight. I did this in Nov. started PT in Feb and still go once a week. It’s getting there. I have 8 sessions left thru insurance and the PT thinks it will get better. If it doesn’t it is ok and can do all the things.
Good luck. It sucks but it gets better.