Staying in shape with a cast on arm

[Anonymous]

My poor DD dislocated and fractured her elbow last weekend. She will be in a cast for at least a month. Obviously her priority is resting and healing, but she does want to try to stay in shape so she can rejoin her team easily once she is out of the cast. I'm afraid that running might be hard? Would a recumbent bike do any good? Any other ideas?

[Anonymous]

She should absolutely NOT run - the jostling would be terrible for healing. She can lay on her back on the floor and do leg lifts and such to work on stomach muscles/core. She can go for normal-paced walks (not walking a dog) to stay healthy from a cardiac level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My poor DD dislocated and fractured her elbow last weekend. She will be in a cast for at least a month. Obviously her priority is resting and healing, but she does want to try to stay in shape so she can rejoin her team easily once she is out of the cast. I'm afraid that running might be hard? Would a recumbent bike do any good? Any other ideas?

Try stationary bike

[Anonymous]

BTDT with my daughter and it's rough - sorry she's going through this. Second the recommendation to work on core strength and flexibility (not on the casted arm). Once she starts sweating, the cast STINKS and gets uncomfortably itchy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She should absolutely NOT run - the jostling would be terrible for healing. She can lay on her back on the floor and do leg lifts and such to work on stomach muscles/core. She can go for normal-paced walks (not walking a dog) to stay healthy from a cardiac level.

Is this the doctor's advice? Being in a cast will keep what needs to be held together, held together. I would let my kid run if they felt up to it. Certainly no playing soccer, but I don't think I'm of the mindset that she can't do cardio exercises unless specifically instructed by the doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should absolutely NOT run - the jostling would be terrible for healing. She can lay on her back on the floor and do leg lifts and such to work on stomach muscles/core. She can go for normal-paced walks (not walking a dog) to stay healthy from a cardiac level.

Is this the doctor's advice? Being in a cast will keep what needs to be held together, held together. I would let my kid run if they felt up to it. Certainly no playing soccer, but I don't think I'm of the mindset that she can't do cardio exercises unless specifically instructed by the doctor.

So why no soccer? I've seen countless number if kids put bubble wrap around the hard cast and play soccer...including my kid when he was like 9. No issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She should absolutely NOT run - the jostling would be terrible for healing. She can lay on her back on the floor and do leg lifts and such to work on stomach muscles/core. She can go for normal-paced walks (not walking a dog) to stay healthy from a cardiac level.

You are nuts!

[Anonymous]

She can run. She shouldn't sprint but that's just for safety, but she can jog. She can also just take brisk walks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should absolutely NOT run - the jostling would be terrible for healing. She can lay on her back on the floor and do leg lifts and such to work on stomach muscles/core. She can go for normal-paced walks (not walking a dog) to stay healthy from a cardiac level.

Is this the doctor's advice? Being in a cast will keep what needs to be held together, held together. I would let my kid run if they felt up to it. Certainly no playing soccer, but I don't think I'm of the mindset that she can't do cardio exercises unless specifically instructed by the doctor.

So why no soccer? I've seen countless number if kids put bubble wrap around the hard cast and play soccer...including my kid when he was like 9. No issues.

Different leagues have different rules. When my kid had a broken arm - he could play two weeks after the cast was put on. The league was more worried he would hurt others with his cast - hence the bubble wrap - but he played as soon as he could.

[Anonymous]

Running can cause swelling in the hands and fingers and sweating in the cast.

Absolutely do not ride a bike unless it's the seated one for legs only. You cannot put weight on the arm and since the elbow can't bend in a cast if she gets unbalanced she can't catch herself. Not a good idea. Most MDs recommend lower body work only.

[Anonymous]

Please talk to the ortho. Follow their directions. I know she wants to return but don't do it too soon. Not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She can run. She shouldn't sprint but that's just for safety, but she can jog. She can also just take brisk walks.

Who are you wackos?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should absolutely NOT run - the jostling would be terrible for healing. She can lay on her back on the floor and do leg lifts and such to work on stomach muscles/core. She can go for normal-paced walks (not walking a dog) to stay healthy from a cardiac level.

Is this the doctor's advice? Being in a cast will keep what needs to be held together, held together. I would let my kid run if they felt up to it. Certainly no playing soccer, but I don't think I'm of the mindset that she can't do cardio exercises unless specifically instructed by the doctor.

So why no soccer? I've seen countless number if kids put bubble wrap around the hard cast and play soccer...including my kid when he was like 9. No issues.

Different leagues have different rules. When my kid had a broken arm - he could play two weeks after the cast was put on. The league was more worried he would hurt others with his cast - hence the bubble wrap - but he played as soon as he could.

Can you please share what LEAGUE has a rule that you can't play with a cast for two weeks after the cast was put on? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should absolutely NOT run - the jostling would be terrible for healing. She can lay on her back on the floor and do leg lifts and such to work on stomach muscles/core. She can go for normal-paced walks (not walking a dog) to stay healthy from a cardiac level.

Is this the doctor's advice? Being in a cast will keep what needs to be held together, held together. I would let my kid run if they felt up to it. Certainly no playing soccer, but I don't think I'm of the mindset that she can't do cardio exercises unless specifically instructed by the doctor.

So why no soccer? I've seen countless number if kids put bubble wrap around the hard cast and play soccer...including my kid when he was like 9. No issues.

Different leagues have different rules. When my kid had a broken arm - he could play two weeks after the cast was put on. The league was more worried he would hurt others with his cast - hence the bubble wrap - but he played as soon as he could.

Can you please share what LEAGUE has a rule that you can't play with a cast for two weeks after the cast was put on? Thank you.

Doctor rules: Don't play for two weeks after injury. League rule: can play with cast - if it is protected from hurting other players

[Anonymous]

Pp. It depends on how bad the fracture is. If it is displaced and you are trying to avoid surgery returning after 2 weeks is a terrible idea. If it is a non displaced fracture maybe you can return sooner. The point is...consult with a good pediatric ortho. If growth plates are involved then the return to soccer will be longer. It really depends on each kid and how quickly they heal. Some teens take a really long time to heal.