Arthroscopic treatment of posttraumatic elbow pain and stiffness

Nineteen consecutive cases of posttraumatic arthrofibrosis of the elbow secondary to a fracture or fracture-dislocation and treated with arthroscopic debridement and manipulation were retrospectively reviewed. All of the patients had pain and stiffness in their elbows, and all had failed a conservative therapy program. All 19 patients were followed postoperatively for an average of 29 months (range, 12 to 51). One hundred-point scoring systems were used to evaluate subjective (pain, swelling, locking, and activities) and objective (range of motion) results. The average preoperative subjective score of 39 improved to 91 postoperatively (P = 0.0001); the objective score improved from 46 preoperatively to 81 postoperatively (P = 0.0001). Extension improved from a mean of 29 degrees to 11 degrees; flexion improved from an average of 123 degrees to 134 degrees. Fourteen patients had limitations in their sports activity preoperatively; 11 were able to return to their preinjury levels of activity after surgery. This study demonstrated good-to-excellent overall results in 79% of the patients treated with arthroscopic debridement for posttraumatic elbow arthrofibrosis. Although complete return of preinjury motion was not obtained, each patient showed a significant improvement in motion and subjective symptoms.