title: Unilateral elbow arthrodesis: the preferred position.
abstract: Twenty-five volunteers had unilateral elbow immobilization for 24 hours in each of two positions of flexion, 45 degrees and 90 degrees . Twenty-two of the 25 volunteers preferred a position of 90 degrees of flexion. Standard functional testing revealed significant limitations in each position of immobilization, confirming that there is no single optimal position of elbow arthrodesis. This study suggests that, for most individuals, 90 degrees is the preferred position of elbow arthrodesis for activities of daily living. However, factors such as age, sex, occupation, and dominance of the extremity should be considered when choosing a position of arthrodesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of California-Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento 95817, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Szabo
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sharkey
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular