POST-TRAUMATIC STIFFNESS OF THE ELBOW.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Traumatology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Elbow stiffness is a frequent complication following joint trauma, leading to significant upper limb functional impairment.
• The degree of dysfunction is influenced by the initial trauma's characteristics and the chosen treatment approach.
• Accurate clinical assessment and diagnostic imaging are crucial for effective treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the factors influencing elbow stiffness post-trauma.
• To discuss current surgical techniques for managing elbow stiffness.
• To identify prognostic indicators for surgical outcomes in elbow stiffness.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical evaluations and complementary examinations for therapeutic planning.
• Analysis of various surgical techniques based on patient-specific factors.
• Correlation of prognostic indicators like joint incongruence, degeneration, and heterotrophic ossification with surgical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Patient characteristics, degree of joint limitation, and surgeon expertise guide treatment recommendations.
• Joint incongruence and degeneration are associated with poorer surgical prognoses.
• Heterotrophic ossification, however, is correlated with a favorable surgical prognosis.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of elbow stiffness requires a comprehensive evaluation tailored to individual patient needs.
• Surgical intervention choices must consider patient-specific variables and surgeon proficiency.
• Identifying prognostic factors, such as the presence of heterotrophic ossification, aids in predicting surgical success.