Anterior capsulotomy for management of post-traumatic elbow flexion contracture

Eighteen patients [11 males and 7 females] with different degree of flexation contracture of the elbow joint after local trauma, constituted the material of the present study. Their ages ranged from 11-47 years [mean 26 years]. A limited anterior capsulotomy combined with post operative splintage and early exercise program has been shown to be a safe and effective means of decreasing post traumatic flexion deformity of the elbow that is resistance to conservative means. Although flexion contracture was decreased [67% improvement]. The best results were noticed in patients with no or little post traumatic arthrosis [72.3% improvement]