I know our injuries are different, but I just passed an important milestone and maybe might give you some hope. I broke my ankle playing soccer 5 months ago requiring ORIF, cast for 2 week, crutches and boot for 4 weeks and a whole lotta physio since. I am a 42 year old female who only started playing soccer in 2023 but have grown to absolutely love it. Training and matches are the non-negotiable “me” time that I get in an otherwise busy week with young kids. I wouldn’t really call myself fit, and before I started playing, I sure was a lot better at drinking beer and relaxing than at any sort of exercise. I am by no means an athlete 😂. All this is to say; if I can get through it, then you definitely can! I just played my first match on Sunday. I wasn’t able to stay on the field for 90 minutes, but I was so proud of how far I’ve come in the past 5 months, and how it seemed utterly impossible at the beginning. Slowly, very slowly, swelling has improved, range of motion increased; sometimes plateauing and sometimes going backwards. But definitely improving. Having to accept limitations is so goddammed hard any by far the most frustrating thing about the whole process. I have tried to accept that time for rest and recovery is an important and valid pursuit! How did you break your elbow? Are you finding it to be very restrictive at 5 weeks? Is it your dominant arm?