[Functional outcome of posttraumatic elbow contractures]

Posttraumatic elbow contractures can cause functional limitations and impairment of activities of daily living in children and adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome and differences between posttraumatic elbow contractures in children and adults during rehabilitation.

We analyzed 68 patients with posttraumatic elbow contractures, who had been admitted to the regional rehabilitation center and managed by procedures of physical therapy. All patients were divided into two groups: group A (34 children) and group B (34 adults). Mayo Clinic Performance Index for Elbow (MCPI) was measured at the beginning and at the end of the physical treatment for each patient.

Out of the study sample, 76.47% of children and 47.06% of adult patients had excellent score at the end of the therapy. The median of Performance index increased for both groups after the physical therapy and the differences were significantly high for both groups, children (t = 5.66, p < 0.001) and adults (t = 2.47, p < 0.001). MCPI at the discharge was significantly higher in the children than in the adults (t = 2.85, p < 0.05).

The results of our investigation have shown that the elbow function assessment in patients with posttraumatic elbow contractures (in regard to pain, motion, stability and sum of daily function) was better in children than in adults at discharge, after approximately 3 weeks of rehabilitation.