Elbow Contractures

by Nickolaos A. Darlis, MD; Dean G. Sotereanos, MD

To individualize treatment approaches for patients with elbow contractures, surgeons must be aware of the treatment options and surgical procedures for release of the stiff elbow. Additionally, the anatomic structures that obstruct motion and the patient's needs must be considered. In selecting a treatment approach, surgeons must discern between pain caused by impinging osteophytes and pain caused by ulnohumeral joint arthritis. With proper procedure selection and rigorous postoperative rehabilitation, a reasonably functional range of motion can be achieved in most patients with elbow contractures.

Keywords: elbow contracture, heterotopic ossification, elbow arthritis, posttraumatic contracture, elbow arthroscopy, distraction-interposition arthroplasty, total elbow arthroplasty, elbow impingement, elbow osteophyte, stiff elbow

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