The stiff elbow: Current concepts

• DOI: 10.4081/or.2020.8661
• Publication Date: 2020-06-29T14:15:48Z
• Authors: Giulia Masci; Gianpiero Cazzato; Giuseppe Milano; Gianluca Ciolli; Giuseppe Malerba; Carlo Perisano; Tommaso Greco; Osvaldo Palmacci; Giulio Maccauro; Francesco Liuzza
• Keywords: Splints

Elbow stiffness is defined as any loss of movement that greater than 30° in extension and less 120° flexion. Causes elbow can be classified traumatic or atraumatic congenital acquired. Any alteration affecting the stability elements lead to a reduction arc movement. The classification based on specific structures involved (Kay's classification), anatomical location (Morrey's degree severity rigidity (Vidal's classification). Diagnosis result combination medical history, physical examination (evaluating both active passive movements), imaging. soft tissue elasticity could bleeding, edema, granulation formation, fibrosis. Preventive measures include immobilization extension, use post-surgical drain, elastic compression bandage continuous motion. Conservative treatment used when has been present for six months consists serial casts, static dynamic splints, CPM, therapy, manipulations functional re-education. If conservative fails not indicated, surgery performed. Extrinsic cases are usually managed with an open arthroscopic release, while those due intrinsic causes arthroplasties. joint particularly prone developing its biomechanical complexity, therefore this pathology represents challenge physiotherapist surgeon alike.