ReviewEFORT open reviews2023
Management of the stiff elbow: a literature review.
Review in EFORT open reviews, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 29 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
29 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 38 citations in OpenAlex.
- Joint fibrosis research from a multi-joint perspective: a bibliometric analysis, 2000-2025.Frontiers in surgery · 2026Pooled it
- Does Combined Intravenous and Topical Tranexamic Acid Offer Additional Benefit Compared With Intravenous or Topical Alone in Open Elbow Arthrolysis-A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Orthopaedic surgery · 2026Trial
- The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of arthroscopic release for post-traumatic elbow stiffness: a single centre prospective randomized trial.International orthopaedics · 2025Trial
- The Stiff Elbow Revisited: How Much Motion Can Surgery Really Restore?Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2026Article
- Anatomical analysis of the posterior elbow joint capsule and small muscle bundle deep to the triceps brachii: a combined cadaveric and in vivo study.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026Article
- Effects of High-Velocity Elbow Manipulation on Forearm Muscle Electromyographic Recovery in Karting Drivers: A Randomized Within-Participant Sham-Controlled Trial.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Postoperative Stiffness After Upper Limb Surgery: Prevention and Management.Orthopedic reviews · 2026Article
- Traumatic elbow stiffness: pathogenic spectrum and comparative outcomes of minimally invasive versus open release surgery.American journal of translational research · 2026Article
- The role of elastic intramedullary nailing with or without Kirschner wire fixation in pediatric radial neck fractures: a retrospective cohort study.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2026Article
- Association Between Surgical Timing and Clinical Outcomes in Elbow Fracture Management.Cureus · 2025Article
- Machine Learning Prediction of Poor Flexion-Extension Outcome After Open Elbow Arthrolysis: Identifying Individual Predisposition Using Clinical and Laboratory Indicators.Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2025Article
- Investigating the effectiveness of stretching interventions on post-traumatic elbow stiffness: a systematic review.JSES international · 2025Review
- Static-progressive bracing is associated with improved range of motion in patients with post-traumatic and post-operative elbow stiffness at three months.Shoulder & elbow · 2025Article
- Effectiveness of WeChat-Based Plus Scene-Graphics Health Education for Rehabilitation After Open Elbow Arthrolysis: Historical Control Study.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Dual mediolateral mini-open technique for the release of elbow contracture.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2025Article
- Effectiveness of home based continuous passive motion compared with conventional physical therapy after arthroscopic release of degenerative elbow stiffness.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Open elbow arthrolysis with hinged external fixation for postburn elbow stiffness: a case series with an averaged 4-year follow-up.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2025Article
- A retrospective comparison of open and arthroscopic surgery for elbow joint stiffness; a single centre pragmatic study over 15 years.Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma · 2025Article
- Challenges in Management of a Post-Traumatic Stiff Elbow - When to Perform Open Arthrolysis: A Case Report.Journal of orthopaedic case reports · 2025Article
- Surgical outcomes after reoperation of intra-articular proximal ulna fractures.JSES international · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The elbow is prone to stiffness due to its unique anatomy and profound capsular reaction to inflammation. The resulting movement impairment may significantly interfere with a patient's activities of daily living. Trauma (including surgery for trauma), posttraumatic arthritis, and heterotopic ossification (HO) are the most common causes of elbow stiffness. In stiffness caused by soft tissue contractures, initial conservative treatment with physiotherapy (PT) and splinting is advised. In cases in which osseous deformities limit range of motion (e.g. malunion, osseous impingement, or HO), early surgical intervention is recommended. Open and arthroscopic arthrolysis are the primary surgical options. Arthroscopic arthrolysis has a lower complication and revision rate but has narrower indications. Early active mobilization using PT after surgery is recommended in postoperative rehabilitation and may be complemented by splinting or continuous passive motion therapy. Most results are gained within the first few months but can continue to improve until 12 months. This paper reviews the current literature and provides state-of-the-art guidance on the management regarding prevention, evaluation, and treatment of elbow stiffness.
Indexed as
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.