Treatment of post-traumatic elbow joint flexion contracture by elbow joint distraction arthroplasty / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To explore the method and effect of elbow joint distraction arthroplasty in the treatment of post-traumatic elbow joint flexion contracture.[Method]An Ilizarov ring distractor of elbow joint was designed.From March 2003 to July 2005,three cases of elbow joint flexion contracture aged 16～17 years (one male and two females) with a flexion deformity of 70? in one case and 45? in two cases were treated.The joint distractor was applied with the wires in the upper limb and the joint hinge at the rotational centre of the elbow joint.No skin incision was made.To correct the deformity gradually,a continuous distraction force was applied by turning the nut on the distraction bar and periodic X-ray films were taken to confirm the position of the elbow joint.[Result]The elbow joint was finally extended to 0?～10?with an average 45?correction of flexion after an average 32 days of distraction.The range of elbow joint movement increased from pre-operative 75?to post-operative 115?.[Conclusion]The elbow joint distraction arthroplasty is effective in the correcting of the elbow joint flexion contracture and improving of joint function.