Medical – Stretches

PLEASE NOTE: The contents of this page contains extracts from the information handout for patients with a BPI who have had surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Stanmore U.K.

Other institutions, particularly those outside the U.K. may have different procedures and protocols according to the type of surgery, and their own general preferences. Please refer to the hospital and the surgeon who performed your surgery for advice and information about procedures for exercising and stretching the affected arm. The information on this page is meant as a guide only, and is not to be used in place of any information provided by your own surgeon, hospital and support team.

STRETCHES FOR BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURIES

The following diagrams show stretching exercises for people with a BPI, but they can only be performed after rehabilitation following the removal of the sling. These stretches help to prevent contractures and stiffness in the arm and shoulder joints following a period of immobility.

UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, DO NOT ATTEMPT THESE EXERCISES WHILE YOUR ARM REMAINS IN THE SLING FOLLOWING SURGERY . ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN OR THERAPIST BEFORE STARTING ANY OF THESE EXCERCISES.

During your period of rehabilitation following any surgery, your physiotherapist or occupational therapist will show you how to perform each exercise correctly. They will also advise you on how many seconds to hold each stretch, and how many repeats of each exercise are suitable for your personal circumstances.
The therapists may even give you additional exercises and stretches which are not represented on these pages.
The excercises shoud be performed at least once a day. With each exercise, you should feel the stretch, but not pain. If you experience pain with any of these stretches, stop and refer to your physician or therapist as soon as possible.

THE STRETCHES

Slowly rotate your shoulder blades backwards and forwards

Place your elbow on a solid object, for example, a thick book. Straighten your elbow over the book. Perform stretch with palm up and your palm down

Using your other arm to help, bend your elbow as far as you can

Rest your elbow on a table.
Using your other hand to help, turn your palm up as far as it can go.
Using your other hand to help, turn your palm down as far as you can.
Do not allow your elbow to move while you are stretching

Push your elbow firmly into the bed. Keeping your elbow firmly anchored, push your hand out to the side

Rest your forearm on the edge of a table to the side of you. Lean forwards

Laying down, bring your hand up above your head

Place your hand on the table in front of you.
Lean forwards pushing your chair back.

Place your arm on a table to the side of you.
Lean away from your arm, pushing the chair away from the table