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Elbow Contracture and Stiffness

What is This Condition?


Elbow contracture occurs when the joint becomes stiff and loses its normal range of motion, often after injury, arthritis, or surgery.


What are the Symptoms?


  • Loss of motion, especially difficulty fully straightening or bending the elbow

  • Stiffness that limits daily activities (e.g., reaching, eating, dressing)

  • Sometimes pain or tightness in the joint


What Causes It?


  • Scarring inside the joint after trauma or surgery

  • Arthritis causing bone spurs and narrowing of the joint

  • Prolonged immobilization after injury

  • Heterotopic ossification (extra bone formation in the soft tissues)


How is It Diagnosed?


  • Exam: limited range of motion

  • X-rays/CT: show bone spurs or joint deformity

  • MRI: may be used to evaluate soft tissues


How is It Treated?


Non-surgical:


  • Aggressive physical therapy and stretching

  • Dynamic or static splints to gradually restore motion


Surgical:


  • Arthroscopic or open contracture release to remove scar tissue or bone spurs

  • Joint replacement if arthritis is advanced

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