Elbow Stiffness: Etiology, Treatment, and Results

Elbow stiffness is a common problem after trauma to the elbow. The goal of treatment should be to achieve a functional range of motion (30°–130°). Nonsurgical options are physical therapy and splinting. Surgical options depend on the degree of degenerative change in the elbow joint. With mild to moderate degenerative changes, procedures such as soft-tissue releases, debridement, and Outerbridge-Kashiwagi arthroplasties may be performed either open or arthroscopically. With more severe degenerative changes, the options are more limited depending on the age and activity level of the patient.