title: Pulsed shortwave diathermy and joint mobilizations for achieving normal elbow range of motion after injury or surgery with implanted metal: a case series.
abstract: Regaining full, active range of motion (ROM) after trauma to the elbow is difficult.
  
  
  
  To report the cases of 6 patients who lacked full ROM in the elbow because of trauma. The treatment regimen was thermal pulsed shortwave diathermy and joint mobilizations.
  
  
  
  Case series.
  
  
  
  University therapeutic modalities laboratory.
  
  
  
  Six patients (5 women [83%], 1 man [17%]) lacked a mean active ROM of 24.5° of extension approximately 4.8 years after trauma or surgery.
  
  
  
  Treatment consisted of 20 minutes of pulsed shortwave diathermy at 800 pulses per second for 400 microseconds (40-48 W average power, 150 W peak power) applied to the cubital fossa, immediately followed by 7 to 8 minutes of joint mobilizations. After posttreatment ROM was recorded, ice was applied to the area for about 30 minutes.
  
  
  
  Changes in extension active ROM were assessed before and after each treatment. Once the patient achieved full, active ROM or failed to improve on 2 consecutive visits, he or she was discharged from the study.
  
  
  
  By the fifth treatment, 4 participants (67%) achieved normal extension active ROM, and 2 of the 4 (50%) exceeded the norm. Five participants (83%) returned to normal activities and full use of their elbows. One month later, the 5 participants had maintained, on average, (mean ± SD) 92% ± 6% of their final measurements.
  
  
  
  A combination of thermal pulsed shortwave diathermy and joint mobilizations was effective in restoring active ROM of elbow extension in 5 of the 6 patients (83%) who lacked full ROM after injury or surgery.
authors.affiliation: Exercise Science Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.
authors.forename: David O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Draper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D058569:Elbow Prosthesis; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012780:Short-Wave Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
chemical_list: D008670:Metals
keywords: deep heat; rehabilitation; therapeutic modalities