title: Prevention and treatment of elbow stiffness: a 5-year update.
abstract: Elbow stiffness is a challenging and common problem faced by upper extremity surgeons. Although functional improvements can be made with both nonsurgical and surgical management strategies, physicians must remain vigilant with efforts to prevent stiffness before it starts. Recent advancements in the biology and pathology of elbow contracture have led to improved understanding of this difficult problem, and they may lead to future breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of elbow stiffness. This article serves as an update to our previous review of elbow stiffness, focusing on recent advancements in the past 5 years, as well as updating our current algorithm for treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Institute, Cleveland Clinic; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Nathan G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Everding
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Maschke
authors.forename: Harry A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Hoyen
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D003286:Contracture / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Contracture; elbow; heterotopic ossification; stiffness; ulnar neuropathy