Bony ankylosis of the elbow after burns.
Ten patients with 13 ankylosed elbows after burns are described. Six elbows, fixed in nearly full extension, had almost total functional disability; the other seven had varying amounts of deformity. In five of the 13 elbows there was a continuous bony mass with loss of the joint space; these were treated by a modified excision arthroplasty which restored good movement and useful function, though there was some lateral laxity. Six elbows had a posterior bony block; this was excised, which restored a useful arc of movement. The literature on bony ankylosis after burns is reviewed and the management of these cases in a developing country is described.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000844:Ankylosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography