Midterm Outcomes After Open Arthrolysis for Posttraumatic Elbow Stiffness in Children and Adolescents

Background: Open arthrolysis is used for treating elbow stiffness in adults. This study evaluated the midterm outcomes after open arthrolysis in children and adolescents with posttraumatic elbow stiffness. Methods: Data of 31 children and adolescents with posttraumatic elbow stiffness following open arthrolysis with or without hinged external fixation from 2010 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Their mean age was 15 (range: 6 to 19) years. At baseline and the follow-up (>4 y), we evaluated the outcomes (range of motion and Mayo Elbow Performance Index) and postoperative complications (pain, ulnar nerve symptoms, infections, and instability) and analyzed the association between outcomes and clinical variables. Results: The Mayo Elbow Performance Index improved from 67.9 (range: 35 to 95 points) to 93.7 points (range: 65 to 100 points; P