[OPEN ARTHROLYSIS COMBINED WITH INTERNAL FIXATOR REMOVAL FOR POST-TRAUMATIC ELBOW STIFFNESS]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Elbow Reconstruction

Background:

• Post-traumatic elbow stiffness is a common complication following elbow injuries.
• Open arthrolysis is a surgical option to restore elbow range of motion.
• The role of concurrent internal fixator removal during arthrolysis for stiffness is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of open arthrolysis combined with internal fixator removal for post-traumatic elbow stiffness.
• To compare outcomes between patients undergoing simultaneous internal fixator removal and those without.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 80 patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness treated with open arthrolysis.
• Patients were divided into two groups: simultaneous internal fixator removal (Group B) and no removal (Group A).
• Effectiveness assessed by complication rates (ulnar nerve symptoms, heterotopic ossification recurrence, re-fracture), range of motion (ROM), and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS).

Main Results:

• No significant differences in complication rates between groups.
• Both groups showed significant improvements in ROM and MEPS post-surgery.
• Group A (no removal) had a significantly higher MEPS compared to Group B (removal), though overall excellent/good rates were similar (82.1% vs 85.4%).

Conclusions:

• Open elbow arthrolysis, with or without concurrent internal fixator removal, is a safe and effective procedure for post-traumatic elbow stiffness.
• While MEPS favored the non-removal group, overall functional outcomes and complication rates were comparable.
• Preventative measures against re-fracture remain crucial in the management of these patients.