Panner disease (elbow)
For diagnosed Panner disease, when the elbow is not immobilised and movement is allowed. Use pain-free movements only; stretching, loading and return to sport need clearance.
1.Bend and straighten your elbow
Sit with your arm relaxed at your side and palm facing up.
Slowly bend your elbow, then straighten it back to the starting position. Stay within pain-free movement, without weights or help from your other hand.
10 slow, pain-free movements 3 times daily.
2.Turn your palm
Sit with your elbow bent to 90 degrees and close to your side.
Slowly turn your palm upwards and then downwards without moving your elbow. Return to the middle; do not use weights or force the movement.
10 slow, pain-free movements 3 times daily.
3.Stretch your forearm
When stretching is allowed and the elbow is pain-free.
Reach one arm forwards, palm up and elbow only as straight as is pain-free.
Use your other hand to gently guide the fingers downwards. Feel a gentle forearm stretch, then release; your elbow should not hurt.
Hold for 20 seconds twice on each side; release fully between holds. Once daily.
Stop throwing, weight bearing through the arm and activities that cause elbow pain until the agreed review. Immobilise the arm only when prescribed and for the stated period.
Suitability depends on the individual medical assessment. Starting exercises without assessment can be dangerous.
When to stop
- Stop for sudden or increasing pain, swelling or difficulty moving; contact your clinician.
- Fever, a hot/red joint, inability to bear weight, tingling, numbness or sudden weakness: urgent assessment; emergency care if severe.
- Contact your clinician for pain during the following 24 hours, loss of straightening, elbow locking or painful catching.
Dott. Daniele Priano · Paediatric orthopaedics
Exercise instructions and videos online · Printed: 13/11/2026
For diagnosed Panner disease, when the elbow is not immobilised and movement is allowed. Use pain-free movements only; stretching, loading and return to sport need clearance.
Exercises
- 1
Bend and straighten your elbow
Sit with your arm relaxed at your side and palm facing up.
Slowly bend your elbow, then straighten it back to the starting position. Stay within pain-free movement, without weights or help from your other hand.
10 slow, pain-free movements 3 times daily.Bend and straighten your elbow
Press Play to watch the movement.
The video shows the movement. Follow the dose and precautions on this sheet.
- 2
Turn your palm
Sit with your elbow bent to 90 degrees and close to your side.
Slowly turn your palm upwards and then downwards without moving your elbow. Return to the middle; do not use weights or force the movement.
10 slow, pain-free movements 3 times daily. - 3
Stretch your forearm
When stretching is allowed and the elbow is pain-free.
Reach one arm forwards, palm up and elbow only as straight as is pain-free.
Use your other hand to gently guide the fingers downwards. Feel a gentle forearm stretch, then release; your elbow should not hurt.
Hold for 20 seconds twice on each side; release fully between holds. Once daily.
Exercise sheet
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Stop throwing, weight bearing through the arm and activities that cause elbow pain until the agreed review. Immobilise the arm only when prescribed and for the stated period.
For children, an adult stays nearby. Use a clear surface, a stable support and secure band anchors; avoid small objects that could be swallowed.
When to stop
Stop exercising and contact your clinician for:
- Acute or sudden pain during exercise
- Significant swelling after exercises
- Pain that progressively worsens over days
- Fever or general malaise
- Difficulty walking or using the limb after exercises
- Any neurological symptoms (tingling, numbness, sudden weakness)
- A red or hot joint, or inability to bear weight: seek prompt assessment; use emergency care if severe.
- Elbow pain increasing during or within 24 hours after the exercises
- Progressive loss of extension compared with the healthy arm
- Sudden joint locking or painful catching (suspected loose body)
- Swelling, warmth or redness of the elbow
- Tingling or loss of strength in the hand
Suitability depends on the individual medical assessment. Starting exercises without assessment can be dangerous.