elbow stitches! when should I start lifting

**xfitness24** · 03-13-2014, 06:19 PM

Hey guys, I slipped and fell down some stairs about a week ago and got a deep cut on my elbow . I went to the emergency room and got 3 staples instead of stitches !. They said no lifting for 2 weeks but I really dont want to wait so long.... also should I get a elbow sleeve after my staples at out and I start lifting again ? Help support my elbow. Thanks!

**almostgone** · 03-14-2014, 03:16 AM

IMO, they put the staples in for a specific reason. I'd stick with the urgent care/ER guidelines.

**RangerDanger830** · 03-23-2014, 05:33 PM

It is rare that I would ever advise against doctors orders. Just wait two weeks, you won't lose much.

**30blue03** · 03-27-2014, 09:35 PM

First off no lifting for 2 weeks is to simple....medical Dr.'s always air on the side of caution, for example total knee patients used to not do any exercises the first few weeks, now they do exercises as soon as the day of operation and their surgical wound goes a lot deeper. Your body knows best, and you have to progress appropriately. I'd start of with simple active ROM (No weights), see how the elbow feels if you are getting motion without pulling pain then the tissue is healing well, if its pulling then I would go no further. If that feels okay add light weight 5-10 lbs for a day, again no pulling=continue, pulling = stop, you can progress this way until you return to you're normal routine. This is better than just no lifting for 2 weeks and then back to lifting 100% this gives the scar tissue formation a chance to heal in line with the muscle fibers as opposed to haphazardly.

Every body has different tissue and response to injury, so the best bet is to progress slowly and listen to your body.