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Recovering After Elbow Surgery

Tom Willemann |

Elbow surgery to reconstruct a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is a common procedure performed on athletes who engage in overhead throwing activities, such as baseball, tennis and volleyball, and gymnastics.

In these activities, the UCL can be stretched, torn or otherwise damaged from the constant stress of overhead motion. To mend a torn UCL, a damaged ligament in the elbow is surgically replaced with a tendon from somewhere else in the body, such as a hamstring or forearm. 

A nontraumatic UCL tear should be treated with rest followed by a rehabilitation program for about six months before surgical intervention is considered.


While surgery aims to restore elbow stability and enable the athlete to return to his or her sport as soon as possible, recovery can often take as long as a year. A 2010 study of athletes who underwent the surgery over a 19-year period showed that after surgery and physical therapy, 83% returned to play at or above their previous level an average of 11.6 months after surgery.
Thus, it is critical to involve physical therapists early in the recovery process.


An individually designed rehabilitation program will likely include:

  •  gentle handgrip, shoulder and wrist mobilization exercises
  • a special hinged brace to protect the elbow
  • range-of-motion (ROM) exercises to be performed daily
  • strengthening exercises for the shoulder, arm, wrist and hand
  • monitored flexibility and conditioning exercises to support proper throwing techniques

Most athletes who follow a formal physical therapy rehabilitation program can expect to attain their previous full ROM. As rehabilitation progresses, we will gradually increase the strength-training exercises with heavier weights and exercises that use all parts of the arm. Another benefit of physical therapy is that you will learn to perform cardiovascular exercises to ensure maintenance of your overall fitness.


With a dedicated physical therapy program, 70% to 95% of athletes tearing their UCL return to play at or above previous levels.


Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus, NJ provides orthopedic and sports physical therapy services for the greater Paramus, Ridgewood, and Bergen County region.  This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. The views expressed here are the author’s views and should be taken as suggestions. Always consult your physician before engaging in a physical therapy or rehabilitative regimen.

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann is a premier physical therapist based out of Bergen County, New Jersey. He holds an MS in physical therapy from the University of Miami, is credentialed in the world-renowned McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), and holds an OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) certification. As of 2018, there are approximately 14,000 ABPTS certified specialists in the nation and less than 400 of them are located in the state of New Jersey. Tom is the owner and director of Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus. He opened the clinic, which specializes in spine and sports injury prevention, in 2004 after many years of experience in the field. Tom’s caring interest in others and his strong belief in continuity of care, combined with his clinic’s ability to find solutions for the most difficult orthopedic problems, have earned Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation its excellent reputation with patients and medical professionals in northeastern New Jersey and beyond. A true “family man,” Tom takes pride in his clinic’s warm and welcoming environment.
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