Arthrolysis for posttraumatic elbow stiffness with heterotopic ossification / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss methods and clinical efficacy of patients treated with arthrolysis for posttraumatic elbow stiffness with heterotopic ossification.Methods The study involved 16 patients with posttraumatic elbow stiffness combined with heterotopic ossification treated by arthrolysis between June 2007 and June 2011.There were 11 males and 5 females,at average age of 29.6 years (range,18-53 years).Time from injury to surgery averaged 10.7 months (range,8-14 months).Other than medial approach for only one patient,the rest adopted medial to lateral approaches to have a complete clearance of periarticular heterotopic ossification tissue and hyperplastic tissue as well as partial resection of articular capsules and ligaments.Besides,seven patients were fixed using hinged external fixators.After surgery,three weeks of oral celecoxib was given for the patients.Rehabilitation was started immediately after operation.Range of motion (ROM) of the elbow and Mayo elbow pcrformance score (MEPS) were used to determine clinical results.Results All patients were followed up for 8-17 months (mean 13.4 months).ROM of the elbow (extension lag,flexion,pronation and supination)showed an improvement from (45.2-3.5)° to (27.2 ±8.4)°,(68.1-11.8)° to (106.8 ± 16.4)°,(55.8 ± 8.2) ° to (80.5 ± 3.3) °,and (53.7 ± 6.3) ° to (83.1 ± 5.3) ° respectively (P ＜ 0.01).MEPS increased from (46.8 ±7.0) points to (83.2 ±9.4) points after operation (P ＜0.01).According to MEPS criterion,the results were excellent in seven patients,good in five and fair in four.Conclusion With respect to posttraumatic elbow stiffness with heterotopic ossification,satisfactory therapeutic results can be achieved by thorough preoperative evaluation,strict control of surgical indications,appropriate selection of intraoperative techniques and early systematic rehabilitation.