title: Increased ROM and high patient satisfaction after open arthrolysis: a follow-up-study of 43 patients with posttraumatic stiff elbows.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow is a common finding after elbow trauma. Restoration of motion in the posttraumatic stiff elbow is difficult, time consuming, and requires high patient compliance. We have evaluated the long-term effect of an open elbow arthrolysis in the posttraumatic stiff elbow.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 43 patients (14 women, 29 men) with a median age of 47(16-78) years operated with open arthrolysis for a posttraumatic stiff elbow. The median follow-up time was 41(12-204) months. The patients were hospitalized median 12(4-14) days, with daily physiotherapy and NSAID. 36 patients tolerated continuous passive motion (CPM) for 11(0-42) days. 35 patients had a well-functioning brachial plexus anesthesia for median 7(1-18) days. We used the paired 2-tailed T-test in our statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperatively the patients had a median flexion of 110(30-160)°, extension 40(10-90)°, and the total flexion-extension sector (F/E) was 50(0-110)°. At follow-up the patients had a median flexion of 132(75-151)° and extension of 23(8-84)°, which indicate a median gain of 42(-50-114)°. The subjective functional scores (Mayo Elbow Score, EQ5D, Q-Dash, and VAS for pain) were satisfying, and most of the patients (81 %) would have done the operation once again knowing the outcome. We had 5 temporary ulnar neuropraxias, one became permanent and in addition ankylotic, one temporary radial neuropraxia, two superficial wound infections, and one transient hematoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Open arthrolysis of the posttraumatic stiff elbow is associated with reliable clinical and functional long-term outcomes.
authors: , Mail Box 1078, Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway. p.m.pettersen@studmed.uio.no.
authors: Petter Morten
authors: PM
authors: Pettersen
authors: , Mail Box 1078, Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway. j.d.eriksson@studmed.uio.no.
authors: Joakim
authors: J
authors: Eriksson
authors: Orthopedic Department, Section for Upper extremity surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo Universitetssykehus HF, Mail Box 4950, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway. hallgeir.bratberg@ous-hf.no.
authors: Hallgeir
authors: H
authors: Bratberg
authors: Orthopedic Department, Section for Upper extremity surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo Universitetssykehus HF, Mail Box 4950, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway. lars.eldar.myrseth@rikshospitalet.no.
authors: Lars Eldar
authors: LE
authors: Myrseth
authors: Physiotherapy Department, Oslo Universitetssykehus HF, Mail Box 4950, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway. lise.grete.bjornstad@ous-hf.no.
authors: Lise Grete
authors: LG
authors: Bjørnstad
authors: Radiological Department, Oslo Universitetssykehus HF, Mail Box 4950, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway. marteajohansen@gmail.com.
authors: Marte
authors: M
authors: Johansen
authors: Orthopedic Department, Section for Upper extremity surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo Universitetssykehus HF, Mail Box 4950, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway. tohu@uus.no.
authors: Torstein
authors: T
authors: Husby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult; D000092464:Elbow Injuries