Recovering Full Range of Motion for Elbow

Hi,

A bit off topic here, but I was wondering if anyone has experience in recovery from elbow injuries. I've had an injury that caused a radialhead hairline fracture of the elbow. It's been a week, and I can't fully extend my elbow. I'm currently taking glucosamine chondroitin with MSM and will be going to physiotherapy. My only concern is, I don't see how it will help since when I extend the elbow it feels like it could no longer extend due to the hardness. (like hitting a brick wall inside the joint).

Okay, I'm really worried now. It's been 13 days since I was attacked in a street mugging, and I still can't fully straighten my elbow. Went to physiotherapist referred to by hospital as part of procedure (but considering a specialist or chiropractor now), who didn't seem too concerned. But she said its too early too tell, but when I asked if it would go back the way it was, she said, that after elbow fractures some people are not able to extend it fully. I'm not sure what the physiology of joints are and I don't understand why the elbow has limited range of motion. When they had taken x-ray, doctor said it was hairline fracture of the radialhead. So I thought since the fracture is minimal it would completely heal with same range of motion as before. It's still kinda painful at the moment, but I doubt its due to internal swelling that is preventing the elbow from fully straightening. I've read online that the joint becomes stiff after a fracture. But how can I tell the difference between internal swelling with stiff joints versus, a messed up radialhead that just won't allow full extension?

My suggestion would be collagen forming foods and supplements: vitamin C, k2 mk-4 and 7, silica, hydrolyzed collagen... also grounding/earthing to keep down inflammation. Make sure to get enough good dietary sources of calcium and phosphorus.

I'm currently taking glucosamine chondroiton and MSM, I have vit c as part of my multivitamin, considering K2 also. What other stuff can I take that is good? There is a good chance that the ligaments and the surrounding tissue and tendons have been damaged as well. So I'm looking to take stuff that also helps heal tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone etc the whole lot :-)

My elbow does feel a little better. But lately I get a strange sensation during some movements as if its moving strangely inside the joint. Kinda worried. Could a hairline fracture of the elbow cause chronic conditions?

I've been reading stuff online that has gotten me more worried. Apparently there are elbow joint instability issues in some people. Hopefully an elbow hairline fracture won't turn into a chronic problem.

Went to doctor again today. According to him, its nothing too serious, but he said that, the ligaments might have stretched a little making it feel a little looser compared to before. He also said that its very likely that cartilage and tendons have slightly been damaged.

I will go again next week for ultrasound therapy and physical therapy to speed up recovery. My concern is, he mentioned the ultrasound and physical therapy in order to increase range of motion, but now I'm worried this will cause the looseness (instability) feeling to increase. It's like fixing one thing and causing another problem.

Does anyone of you have experience with ultrasound therapy and tendon, ligament repair? Is there anyway the overstretched ligaments will shorten to normal size again. Its seems it is only a minor lengthening has occurred since my bone didn't even dislocate. Also do supplements that are said to repair ligaments also shorten them?

I'm a bit confused about this whole ligament, tendon, cartilage thing when it comes to joint supplements, since they all seem to be lumped up into one category.

The guiding principle behind physical therapy is that strengthening muscles can help compensate for joint instability.  I work in physical therapy, seems like it works on maybe 70% of patients to some degree. Doing therapy probably won't make your ligament instability worse, but id recommend google searching 'prolotherapy ligament tightening'.  Good stuff, personally had it done with good results.