[Open surgical treatment in post-traumatic elbow stiffness].

PURPOSE: To show how open treatment of the elbow stiffness offers an improvement in the range of motion, pain control, and patient's satisfaction.

METHODS

We present a case series analysis of patients who suffer elbow stiffness and were treated with open surgery. We analyzed the range of motion (ROM), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction, and the Mayo Score. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test, Fisher's exact and Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

33 patients were included mean, age was 30.3 +/- 13.4. Twenty patients were male and 13 female, 32 patients had an articular fracture of the elbow and 1 with ectopic ossification. In 90.9% the column procedure was the option and in 9.1% open reduction and internal fixation was made. Compared with preoperative ROM was 58.8 degrees +/- 28.6 degrees, postoperative 96.10 +/- 25.5 (p < 0.001). Pain versus registered 5.06 points in the Preoperative 1.7 points in the postoperative period (p = 0.001). 75% of the patients were satisfied. Preoperative Mayo score was 47.2 +/- 17.8 versus 89.2 +/- 13.4 in the postoperative (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The open treatment of the stiff elbow offers the patient pain relief; increased motion and most patients report final results as satisfactory.