Open release combined with hinged external fixator repairs extremely severe elbow stiffness / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Once traumatic arthritis appears, degeneration of the joints wil be inevitable. In the clinical treatment of moderate or less stiff elbow, traditional elbow stiffness release is the preferred repair method. However, its therapeutic effect is controversial in the clinical treatment of very severe elbow stiffness. The focus on conflict is articular surface damage after the implementation of the traditional release of elbow stiffness. OBJECTIVE: To observe the repair effect of open release combined with hinged external fixator on extremely severe elbow stiffness. METHODS:A total of 52 patients with extremely severe elbow joint stiffness were selected from the Third Department of Orthopedics, Yuebei People’s Hospital from May 2012 to July 2014. Al patients signed the informed consent. In accordance with the approval of Hospital Ethics Committee, they were divided into control and study groups (n=26). Control group received the traditional elbow stiffness release. Study group received open release combined with hinged external fixator. The changes in flexion-extension range-of-motion and Mayo elbow joint function score were compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After treatment with open release combined with hinged external fixator, significant differences in excelent and good rate, range-of-motion of flexion-extension and Mayo elbow joint function score were detected between the study group [96%, (117.5±20.5)°, (88.5±11.5) points] and the control group [77%, (93.5±18.5)°, (76.5±9.5) points] (P < 0.05). These results indicated that open release combined with hinged external fixator significantly improved elbow joint function in patients with extremely severe elbow stiffness, facilitated postoperative rehabilitation exercise activities, and had high value of clinical application.