Surgical improvement of post - traumatic contracture of the elbow in children and adolescence

ABSTRACT

Sixteen patients aged 5-16 years suffering from post-traumatic contracture of the elbow were subjected to both anterior and posterior soft tissue release through a lateral approach described by Husband and Hastings [1990]. An intensive active exercise program was advised before considering operative release. The duration between initial injury and operative release ranged from 4-10 months. The indication for operation was limitation of the functional arc of elbow movement. The gain in active extension ranged from 10-30 degrees and in active flexion from 0-40 degress. The overall gain in the range of elbow movement was 20-50 degrees [Average 35.3 degrees], and a functional arc [30-120 degrees] was achieved in 10 patients [62.5%] within a period of 20-62 months of follow up. A continuous passive motion device was not used in this study