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DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1700827
Surgical Treatment of Post-traumatic Elbow Stiffness by Wide Posterior Approach[*]
Article in several languages: português | English![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00042410/202005/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0039-1700827_1900081_en-1.jpg)
Abstract
Objective To demonstrate the clinical outcomes and complication rates of the surgical release with a single posterior approach in the treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness.
Methods A prospective study with patients submitted to surgery between May 2013 and June 2018 in a single center. The access to the elbow was made through the posterior approach. The patients were followed up by an occupational therapy team, and were submitted to a standardized rehabilitation protocol, with static progressive orthoses and dynamic orthoses. The primary outcome was the range of flexion-extension of the elbow after 6 months.
Results A total of 26 patients completed the minimum follow-up of 6-months. The mean range of flexion-extension of the elbow at the end of 6 months was of 98.3 ± 22.0°, with an amplitude gain of 40.0 ± 14.0° in relation to the pre-operative period (p < 0.001). The average flexion-extension gain at the end of 6 months was of 51.7% ± 17.1% (p < 0.001). The mean pronosupination at the end of 6 months was of 129.0 ± 42.7° (p < 0.001). Half of the cases had moderate and severe stiffness in the pre-operative period, compared with 7.7% at 6 months post-operatively (p < 0.001). The mean score for the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) instruments was 74.4 ± 16.8 points and 31.7 ± 21.9 points respectively (p < 0.001 for both). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score presented no statistically significant difference compared to the pre-operative period (p = 0.096). Complications were observed in 6 (23%) patients, and no new surgical procedures were necessary.
Conclusions The surgical release of the elbow associated with a rehabilitation protocol is a safe technique, with satisfactory results and low rate of complications.
Keywords
elbow joint - contracture - post-traumatic stiffness - joint capsule release - treatment outcome* Study developed at Shoulder and Elbow Group, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Hospital Das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de São (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Publication History
Received: 31 March 2019
Accepted: 23 July 2019
Article published online:
09 January 2020
© 2020. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia. Published by Thieme Revnter Publicações Ltda
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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