Post-traumatic stiff elbow.

Journal and index pages often block iframe embedding. This reader keeps the evidence details in Orthonotes and leaves the source page one click away.

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement: ICMJE Conflict of interest statement: L. Adolfsson declares payment for lectures for Acumed, DePuy/Johnson & Johnson, AO Foundation, Wright Medical and Swemac Education; royalties from Köigsee implantate GmBh, activities outside the submitted work. 5. Shoulder Elbow. 2020 Feb;12(1):38-45. doi: 10.1177/1758573218793903. Epub 2018 Aug 8. Post-traumatic elbow stiffness: Pathogenesis and current treatments. Zhang D(1)(2), Nazarian A(2)(3)(4), Rodriguez EK(1)(2)(3). Author information: (1)Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, MA, USA. (2)Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (3)Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, MA, USA. (4)Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia. Post-traumatic elbow stiffness is a major cause of functional impairment after elbow trauma. A stiff elbow limits patients' ability to position their hand in space for optimal use of their upper extremities, and as such, is a frequent indication for reoperation. This article reviews current concepts on the pathogenesis of post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Current nonoperative treatment options include therapy, bracing, and manipulation under anesthesia, while operative treatment options include arthroscopic and open arthrolysis. The pros and cons of various treatment options are discussed, with a focus on the evidence supporting their use, the expected functional gains, and associated complications. Future directions in post-traumatic elbow stiffness are highlighted. © 2018 The British Elbow & Shoulder Society. DOI: 10.1177/1758573218793903 PMCID: PMC6974890