Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Intervention Managing Elbow - Post-Trauma
Traumatic elbow injuries
Participants will be randomised in a 2:1 ratio to either an enhanced physiotherapy rehabilitation intervention or usual care using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes prepared in advance according to a computer-generated randomisation sequence. Intervention arm: Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive 4-6 physiotherapy sessions over a 3-month period. Treatment will include range-of-movement exercises, strengthening, functional rehabilitation, education and reassurance, and graded exposure to movement to address fear of movement following injury. Exercise programmes will be individualised according to the patient’s presentation and stage of recovery. Usual care arm: Participants allocated to the usual care group will receive standard physiotherapy management routinely delivered within the NHS service, typically consisting of an initial assessment and one follow-up appointment. All participants will complete a follow-up assessment at 3 months post-randomisation, including questionnaires and elbow range-of-movement assessment.
1. Aged 16 or older 2. Had a bony elbow injury (e.g. simple dislocation, fracture dislocation, olecranon fracture, radial head fracture, distal humeral fracture) within the past 4 weeks
1. Contraindication to participation in the study intervention 2. Previous surgery on the affected elbow 3. Unable to adhere to study procedures