Information for Medical Professionals

Severe elbow contracture can be treated with athrolysis

The use of arthrolysis and dynamic splinting in patients with severe elbow contracture is relatively common.

And according to new research, the method is very effective when it comes to treating the condition.

Published in the European Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the study showed that of the 26 patients observed, all of whom had an arc of movement less than 30 degrees, 13 had excellent outcomes following arthrolysis, while nine had good and three had fair outcomes.

Only one patient experienced complications following the procedure, specifically severe instability of the joint, amounting to a poor outcome.

Mean pre-operative movement was 15.6 degrees, while average flexion was 64.1 degrees – both of which were significantly improved upon following surgery.

Patients Mayo elbow score also rose from an average of 45 to a score of 89.

A study published last year in Acta Orthopaedica, which looked at survival rates of elbow implants in Finland, showed that aseptic loosening was the most common reason for revision.

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