Post-traumatic elbow stiffness: Pathogenesis and current treatments.

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Abstract

7. J Exp Orthop. 2021 Oct 28;8(1):97. doi: 10.1186/s40634-021-00420-4. Arthroscopic management of elbow stiffness. Sanchez-Sotelo J(1). Author information: (1)Chair of the Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Gonda 14, 200 First Street SW, MN, 55905, Rochester, USA. sanchezsotelo.joaquin@mayo.edu. The elbow is particularly prone to stiffness. Loss of elbow motion is very limiting, and can be the result of trauma, primary osteoarthritis, heterotopic ossification and other conditions. Several exposures have been described for open elbow contracture release. Although a few decades ago elbow arthroscopy was considered only for diagnosis and removal of loose bodies, contemporary arthroscopic techniques allow successful management of the majority of conditions leading to elbow stiffness. Careful patient evaluation, use of advanced imaging studies, and acquisition of appropriate surgical skills are essential for the successful arthroscopic management of the stiff elbow. This expert opinion reviews some fundamentals of elbow stiffness as well as principles for the evaluation and arthroscopic management of the stiff elbow. © 2021. The Author(s). DOI: 10.1186/s40634-021-00420-4 PMCID: PMC8552204