Elbow Stiffness or Contractures

Elbow Stiffness or Contractures of the elbow result in loss of motion and difficulty performing activities of daily living and may occur as a result of trauma, osteoarthritis, elbow surgery, or a congenital condition.

The elbow is a joint that is easily complicated by stiffness after injury or disease. This is because the elbow actually comprises three separate joints that fit extremely well together, and is in close proximity to a host of soft tissue structures.

Shreya Hospital in Ghaziabad is the famous center in ghaziabad for treatment of Elbow Stiffness or Contractures. Orthopedic Surgeon practicing here have vast experience of more than 40 years.

Causes of Elbow Stiffness or Contractures

• Post-injury stiffness: The most common cause in our population is post-injury stiffness of the elbow.
• Other diseases: A stiff elbow joint can also arise due to other diseases like infection and auto-inflammatory conditions (e.g, rheumatoid arthritis).
• Congenital problems: Certain congenital problems may also present with elbow stiffness.

Risk Factors

• Prolonged immobilisation: Patients with prolonged immobilisation of the elbow joint due to injury or illness are at highest risk of developing elbow stiffness.
• Damage to joint: Diseases like infection that lead to damage of the joint surface (also known as the articular cartilage) also predispose to elbow stiffness.

Symptoms

You will experience limited range of motion in the elbow when bending the elbow, and sometimes in forearm rotation as well. Pain may or may not be an associated symptom depending on the underlying problem.

Treatment of Elbow Stiffness or Contractures

The exact treatment for elbow stiffness depends on the underlying cause, and the extent to which the elbow joint itself and its surrounding soft tissue structures are affected. Generally, the treatment of elbow stiffness hinges on the use of splints, exercises, and judicious surgery. Surgical release of the stiff elbow may sometimes be used if conservative methods fail, or if these measures are unsuitable.