Manipulation of the stiff elbow with patient under anesthesia

Eleven patients had elbow manipulation under general anesthesia to improve a dysfunctional range of motion. Six (55%) patients improved their motion, three (27%) patients had no significant change, and two (18%) patients lost motion. Type of injury, extremity dominance, previous surgical procedures, delay to manipulation, or use of postoperative steroid injections and continuous passive motion did not correlate with successful results. Two transient sensory ulnar neuropathies were the only complications and no heterotopic bone formation or exacerbation was observed. Manipulation under anesthesia should be considered in patients with a dysfunctional elbow range of motion after failure of well-supervised rehabilitation.