How Long Does Post-Surgery Physiotherapy Take for Tennis Elbow in Dubai?

Situation: The Journey Back to Full Functionality

Going through tennis elbow surgery in Dubai is an important step to an active lifestyle if you have a chronic tennis elbow. Whether strong arms are necessary for padel or tennis, or for intense functional training, having an elbow with tennis elbow is limiting. It is likely that your first step was to have an orthopedic doctor Dubai consultant complete a full evaluation and determine that no non-surgical options remained to repair your severely damaged tendon. Now, you need the tendon protected in surgery.

Complication: The Risk of Accelerating the Rehab Process

Surgery repairs the tendon tissue and the first step of recovery is complete, but the rehab process is longer. Many people are under the misconception that surgery heals tennis elbow and they can go back to tennis or lifting weights after the incision heals. This type of thinking leads to a lot of re-injuries and prolonged stiffness of the joints.

Further, patients often feel the need to choose between an orthopedic surgeon vs physiotherapist to guide the recovery process. The role of the surgeon is to fix the tendon, while the physical therapist's role is to improve flexibility and strength of the tendon and joint.

Failure to rehabilitate properly leads to compensating movement patterns. If you have an elbow that is in recovery, you will use your elbow less, and overwork your upper arm and upper back instead. This results in muscle strains at that area, and will require targeted shoulder pain treatment Dubai options to address your posture before you can go back to your sport.

Question: What is the Real Timeline for Post-Surgery Rehabilitation?

How long does it actually take to rebuild your forearm's strength and endurance to an adequate level with post-surgical physiotherapy? What are the benchmarks you must hit along the way when it comes to athletic clearance?

Answer: A Constructed, Staged Rehabilitation Schedule

For an individual to be able to return to full work and unrestricted sporting activities, they need to have constructed and followed a staged rehabilitation schedule. The rehabilitation process is generally subdivided into periods of 3 to 6 months. The periods are specifically defined, and clearly communicated to the patient by the physician at an elite sports medicine clinic Dubai:

Phase 1: Post Surgery Weeks 1 and 2

For the protection of the tendon and for control of the post surgery inflammation, the first two weeks of the rehabilitation process are focused on post surgery protection. Your arm will be placed in a splint or brace. The physical therapist will take you through guided, passive movements of the hand and fingers, and will include some very light movements of the wrist. These early movements will be critical in the prevention of stiffness in the joints and in promoting movement and circulation.

Phase 2: Active Recovery and Tissue Mobilization (Weeks 3 – 6)

You'll stop wearing the post-operative brace once the surgeon thinks that the early stage healing of your tissue is on track. From that stage, the goal is to recover the natural, active range of motion of your elbow. At this point, your physical therapist will begin using soft tissue massage with joint mobilization to help the healing process of the scar tissue. You will begin performing very gentle arm movements to engage the forearm muscles.

Phase 3: Progressive Resisted Loading (Weeks 6 – 12)

The goal of this phase is to regain the strength of the repaired tendon. You will use bands of resistance and small weights to perform isometric exercises of the forearm. This will help elongate the tendon in a controlled fashion which will stimulate collagen fibers to organize along the tendon in a strong fashion. This phase of recovery will also begin to provide resistance to the muscles of the forearm and improve the stability of the wrist.

Phase 4: Sports Specific Training and Full Return (Month 3 and Beyond)

Once you reach comparable strength in both arms, and can move without pain, you will be cleared for sports related training. Your therapist will examine your mechanics when you perform the movements related to your sports or exercise. During this phase, most of the training exercises are designed to prepare you for the specific functions you will perform, while also considering injury risks. The goal of this phase is to prepare your elbow for all the high-impact, dynamic movements you will perform.

Questions and Answers

What causes pain in my shoulder and neck after surgery?

When your elbow is weak or stuck in a brace, your body has to adjust. Naturally, this means relying on your shoulder and neck to do daily activities. This leads to improper loading, muscle spasms, and restricted joints. These issues lead to an unbalanced kinetic chain, which is why early PT is important. This will give your arm a proper recovery.

How do I identify the best orthopedic clinic Dubai has to offer for my post-operative rehabilitation?

The best rehab clinics in Dubai integrate multiple specialties. To identify these clinics, look for the clinics that have their orthosurgeons, physical therapists, and sports medicine specialists all working within the same facility. This collaboration will allow your rehab to be focused on the specific surgery that was done on your joint.

Establish a Robust Recovery Base that is Complete and Balanced

When you are ready to regain your competitive advantage following surgery, you need a long term, well organized strategy for rehabilitation. You no longer have to face the anxiety of the post-surgical experience, which includes stiffness, weakness, and secondary compensatory strains, alone. The finest quality of integrated, elite care is at your disposal to support you at every stage along your recovery journey. After your rehabilitation is complete, a multidisciplinary chiropractic clinic Dubai is skilled to realign your shoulders and spine. It can also correct the entire kinetic chain of your body and support your body structurally so you can move without pain. The leading physical medicine center has what you need to evaluate your condition post-surgery and begin your rehabilitation journey to the highest level of performance. Reach out to them today.