Open surgical treatment of posttraumatic elbow contractures in children.
Posttraumatic elbow stiffness in children can be a severe obstacle to accomplishing basic activities of daily living, including dressing, and participating in recreational activities. The etiology of this stiffness is typically extrinsic or instrinsic pathology caused by an earlier supracondylar humerus fracture, elbow dislocation, or elbow fracture-dislocation. Children with functional limitations, typically associated with flexion contractures greater than 30 degrees or less than a functional arc (30 to 130 degrees) can benefit from surgical contracture release, which consistently improves range of motion.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Nicole L
NL
Strauss
Lisa
L
Lattanza
D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D018579:Patient Selection; D011182:Postoperative Care; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D014459:Ulnar Nerve; D000092464:Elbow Injuries