ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2019
Determining the effective timing of an open arthrolysis for post-traumatic elbow stiffness: a retrospective cohort study.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- Surgical arthrolysis of the stiff elbow: a systematic review.Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery · 2023Pooled it
- The Stiff Elbow Revisited: How Much Motion Can Surgery Really Restore?Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2026Article
- Effectiveness of WeChat-Based Plus Scene-Graphics Health Education for Rehabilitation After Open Elbow Arthrolysis: Historical Control Study.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Effectiveness of home based continuous passive motion compared with conventional physical therapy after arthroscopic release of degenerative elbow stiffness.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Rehabilitation after surgical release of the stiff elbow: A literature review.Journal of orthopaedics · 2025Review
- A comparative analysis of short-term results in range of motion following arthroscopic arthrolysis with vs. without peripheral nerve block in cases of elbow stiffness.JSES international · 2025Article
- Post-traumatic elbow stiffness: etiology, risk factors and current treatments.Frontiers in surgery · 2025Review
- Open elbow arthrolysis for post-traumatic elbow stiffness: an update.Bone & joint open · 2020Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundFollowing trauma, the elbow is the most susceptible to restricted motion among all joints. Open arthrolysis is often performed for post-traumatic elbow stiffness if that stiffness does not improve with non-operative management. However, the optimal timing for performing an open arthrolysis remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome (elbow motion and function) and the rate of complications among patients who had undergone early, median and late release procedures to establish an optimal time interval following the injury, after which, an effective open arthrolysis can be performed.
methodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we included total 133 patients, who had undergone open arthrolysis for post-traumatic elbow stiffness. The subjects were divided into 3 groups, with 31 patients in the early release group (arthrolysis performed at 6-10 months after injury), 78 patients in the median release group (at 11-20 months), and 24 patients in the late release group (at > 20 months). The release procedure in all patients was performed by the same surgeon, using the same technique. The general data, functional performance, and complications, if any, were retrospectively documented for all patients and statistically analysed.
resultsThe demographic data and disease characteristics of all patients were comparable at baseline. Postoperatively, no significant differences were found among the three groups with respect to the range of motion (p = 0.067), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (p = 0.350) and its ratings (p = 0.329), visual analog scale score for pain (p = 0.227), Dellon classification for ulnar nerve symptoms (p = 0.497), and each discrete complication (all p values > 0.05).
conclusionsAt the final follow-up, our results showed no significant difference in the postoperative elbow motion capacities, functional scores and the rates of complications among patients who had undergone an early, median, and late release. Therefore, we have recommended that an early arthrolysis would be preferable due to its multiple advantages, and the conventionally observed interval of > 1 year after the injury, could be shortened. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III; Retrospective Cohort Design; Therapeutic Study.
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