The elbow joint consists of the humeral ulnar joint, humeral radial joint, and proximal ulnar radial joint, and is an important structure for the normal function of the upper extremity. Injuries to the elbow joint and its surrounding soft tissues, as well as to adjacent joints (distal ulnar radial joint, shoulder joint), can affect elbow function to varying degrees. Successful rehabilitation is based on a comprehensive understanding of the anatomical and physiological factors of a particular patient’s elbow disorder and requires close collaboration between the patient, the surgeon and the rehabilitation team. To meet the needs of daily living, elbow joint angulation should strive to achieve: active flexion >130°, active extension limitation <40°, active posterior rotation >60°, and active anterior rotation >60°. This article synthesizes relevant information and briefly introduces the main methods of elbow joint functional exercise. Figure 1 Normal elbow joint range of motion I. Elbow flexion (arm bending): In the early stages of injury, while the joint is still under braking, isometric active muscle contraction training should be started. After the removal of the external fixation device, you can start passive extension and flexion mobility exercises with the assistance of a rehabilitator (Figure 2). Patients can also hold the affected wrist with the healthy hand and pull it towards themselves with force for exercise. Note that the exercise should be suspended when there is significant pain, and the angle should be increased after the tissue has adjusted to the pain. Resistance exercises can be performed with the aid of rubber stretching bands or dumbbells and other equipment. Figure 2: Passive elbow flexion (A) and extension exercises (B) II. Elbow extension (straightening the arm): Elbow extension can also be practiced by the patient himself by taking a sitting position, extending the elbow with the fist up, fixing the elbow support on the table, and hanging the small arm and hand outside the table. The muscles are completely relaxed, so that the elbow is slowly straightened by dropping down under its own weight or by holding a heavy object such as a dumbbell. Elbow extension exercises mainly help to stretch the soft tissues in front of the elbow joint, care should be taken to avoid violence and to master the principles of low load (dumbbell weight from light to heavy, slowly increasing) and longer duration. Figure 3: Passive elbow extension exercises with the help of heavy objects Functional exercises need to be started before the external fixation frame is removed. Exercises are generally performed in a seated position with the shoulder joint relaxed and the forearm flat on the table with the elbow flexed, holding a long-handled weight in the hand and tilting it inward with the help of its gravity with a gentle and continuous traction force, gradually increasing the joint activity. Figure 4 forearm passive rotation exercise four, forearm rotation: as shown in the figure, the movement and rotation before the exercise is similar, the direction is the opposite, the rest of the requirements are identical. Figure 5 The elbow joint is a part of the body prone to stiffness and ossifying myositis, so early exercise should be performed under the guidance of a physician, following the principles of active muscle stretching, then passive pulling, and finally resistance exercises. According to the rehabilitation process, the frequency of exercise should be increased first (10-15 minutes each time in the early stage, 2-3 times a day), and then the intensity of exercise should be increased; attention should be paid to the combination of continuous static training (joint inactivity) and short duration power resistance training.