[Elbow contracture caused by increased tonus of the flexor muscles]

Increased muscle tone leads occasionally to fixed flexion and supination deformities of the elbow in tetraplegics and subsequently to additional restriction of function. The incidence, course, remaining functions and therapeutic measures were studied retrospectively in 22 patients (37 arms). Muscle hypertonus was found to start during the first 12 weeks after spinal cord lesion and to provoke a flexion contracture of 35 to 95 degrees in 40% of the cases despite therapy. Due to the failure of physical therapy and operative measures, prophylaxis through the prevention of shoulder-pain, early use of adequate splinting of the upper extremity and electrical stimulation of the triceps brachii should be carried out.