Early surgical management for heterotopic ossification about the elbow presenting as limited range of motion associated with ulnar neuropathy.
BACKGROUND
The formation of heterotopic ossification (HO) about the elbow after traumatic injury has been well documented in the literature. The optimal treatment, however, for ectopic bone associated with restricted range of motion and ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome has not been established.


METHODS
Seven elbows with HO in 7 patients admitted to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from April 1998 to January 1999 presented with limited range of motion and associated ulnar nerve neuropathy. All of these patients received early surgical excision of HO combined with release of the encased ulnar nerve and anterior transposition, followed by early gentle passive physical therapy and active exercise within the pain-free range of motion postoperatively.


RESULTS
Almost full range of motion and complete functional ability following surgery were recovered in 6 of the 7 patients, while I patient who suffered from multiple traumatic injuries had limited improvement from 45 degrees ankylosis to 10 degrees approximately 90 degrees of a flexion-extension motion arc.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that early surgical management combined with gentle physical therapy postoperatively is a feasible modality for treating patients with post-traumatic HO about the elbow presenting as limited range of motion and associated ulnar nerve compression syndrome.
Yang
Shih-Chieh
SC
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Tawwan, ROC.
Chen
Alvin Chao-Yu
AC
Chao
En-Kai
EK
Yuan
Li-Jen
LJ
Lee
Mel Shiuann-Sheng
MS
Ueng
Steve Wen-Neng
SW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000601:surgery*; D017769:Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*