Elbow Range of Motion
Gentle bending, straightening, and forearm turning to keep the elbow moving freely.
What it helps
Keeps the elbow and forearm moving through their full range — preserving the bend, straighten, and rotation you use for everyday tasks.
How to do it
- Bend the elbow to bring your hand toward your shoulder, then slowly straighten it all the way.
- With the elbow tucked at your side and bent 90°, turn your palm up, then down.
- Move smoothly through comfortable range; don't force the ends.
Tips
- Keep the upper arm still — the movement is at the elbow and forearm.
- Sore is okay; sharp is a sign to ease back.
Commonly done as 2–3 sets of 10 each, daily.
Where this appears in recovery
Elbow Range of Motion is part of 70 recovery programs, most often at the protected healing (weeks 0–2), protected healing (weeks 0–3) and swelling & finger motion (weeks 0–2) stages, among others. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:
- Clavicle Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- Latarjet Procedure exercise guide
- Distal Radius Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- Distal Radius Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- Distal Clavicle Excision exercise guide
- Dupuytren Fasciectomy exercise guide
- Superior Capsular Reconstruction exercise guide
- Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair exercise guide
- Distal Biceps Tendon Repair exercise guide
- Distal Biceps Tendon Repair exercise guide
- Proximal Humerus Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- Bankart Repair (Shoulder Stabilization) exercise guide
- …and 58 more
All exercise guides · Condition guides · Recovery education
These are general exercise guides, not a personal prescription. The repetitions and frequency shown are what's commonly used — your own surgeon or therapist may advise something different, and their guidance comes first.