Abstract
Background: The treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness has seen many important changes over the years, particularly greater the development of arthroscopy. In this study mid-term clinical results of arthroscopy for post-traumatic elbow stiffness are evaluated in 15 sporting patients, with an average age of 32.
Methods: 8 patients reported post-traumatic stiffness due to fracture of the radial head, 3 to fracture-dislocation, 1 to fracture of the radial diaphysis complicated by osteosynthesis, and the remaining 3 patients to stress syndromes with osteochondral detachment. Surgical treatment consists in debridment, arthroscopic capsular release, and removal of bone fragments by arthroscopy. Patients were followed-up from 4 up to 36 months, with a mean follow-up time of 18 months.
Results: Results obtained have been good to excellent in 84% of cases with a average range in post-operative movement of 13–137° and reduction in pain symptomatology.
Conclusion: In light of our mid-term clinical results on a small series of cases, arthroscopic surgical treatment would appear to be an acceptable option in management of the post-traumatic stiff elbow.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ariella Neustadt at Studio EGA, Professional Congress Organisers, Viale Tiziano, 19 - 00196, Rome - Italy.
