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Stiff elbow

MedGen UID:
536893
•Concept ID:
C0239272
•
Sign or Symptom
Synonyms: Elbow stiff; Elbow stiffness
SNOMED CT: Elbow stiff (249917001)
 
HPO: HP:0025259

Definition

A sensation of tightness in the elbow joint when attempting to move it, especially after a period of inactivity. [from HPO]

Conditions with this feature

Ulnar-mammary syndrome
MedGen UID:
357886
•Concept ID:
C1866994
•
Disease or Syndrome
Ulnar-mammary syndrome (UMS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by posterior limb deficiencies or duplications, apocrine/mammary gland hypoplasia and/or dysfunction, abnormal dentition, delayed puberty in males, and genital anomalies (Bamshad et al., 1996).
See: Condition Record
Ulnar-mammary syndrome

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Therapeutic Management of the Posttraumatic Stiff Elbow After Open Osteocapsular Release.
Cancio JM, Rhee P
Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg 2018 Dec;22(4):134-136. doi: 10.1097/BTH.0000000000000207. PMID: 30300247
Surgical Management of the Posttraumatic Stiff Elbow: A Step-Wise Algorithm for Open Osteocapsular Release.
Gauger EM, Rhee PC
Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg 2018 Dec;22(4):127-133. doi: 10.1097/BTH.0000000000000206. PMID: 30300246
The use of dynamic orthoses in the treatment of the stiff elbow.
Gallucci GL, Boretto JG, Dávalos MA, Alfie VA, Donndorff A, De Carli P
Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2014 Dec;24(8):1395-400. Epub 2014 Feb 8 doi: 10.1007/s00590-014-1419-y. PMID: 24509815

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Open and Arthroscopic Elbow Contracture Release: 
Tips and Pearls.
Kim HM, Morrey ME, Steinmann S, Barco R
Instr Course Lect 2024;73:625-637. PMID: 38090929
Manipulation under anesthesia for the postsurgical stiff elbow: a case series and review of literature.
Rotman D, Factor S, Schermann H, Kadar A, Atlan F, Pritsch T, Rosenblatt Y
Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2019 Dec;29(8):1679-1685. Epub 2019 Jul 6 doi: 10.1007/s00590-019-02492-6. PMID: 31280368
Elbow arthroscopy in stiff elbow.
Pederzini LA, Nicoletta F, Tosi M, Prandini M, Tripoli E, Cossio A
Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2014 Feb;22(2):467-73. Epub 2013 Feb 23 doi: 10.1007/s00167-013-2424-0. PMID: 23435987
Elbow arthritis: current concepts.
Papatheodorou LK, Baratz ME, Sotereanos DG
J Hand Surg Am 2013 Mar;38(3):605-13. Epub 2013 Feb 5 doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.12.037. PMID: 23391361
The stiff elbow.
Keschner MT, Paksima N
Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis 2007;65(1):24-8. PMID: 17539758

Diagnosis

The examination and treatment of soft tissue contracture of the elbow.
Graves BR
J ISAKOS 2024 Feb;9(1):98-102. Epub 2023 Oct 20 doi: 10.1016/j.jisako.2023.10.006. PMID: 37866511
Open surgical release for contractures of the elbow.
Streubel PN, Cohen MS
J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2015 Jun;23(6):328-38. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00051. PMID: 26001425
Elbow arthritis: current concepts.
Papatheodorou LK, Baratz ME, Sotereanos DG
J Hand Surg Am 2013 Mar;38(3):605-13. Epub 2013 Feb 5 doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.12.037. PMID: 23391361
Surgical options for the arthritic elbow.
Gallo RA, Payatakes A, Sotereanos DG
J Hand Surg Am 2008 May-Jun;33(5):746-59. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2007.12.022. PMID: 18590859
The assessment and management of the stiff elbow.
Jupiter JB, O'Driscoll SW, Cohen MS
Instr Course Lect 2003;52:93-111. PMID: 12690843

Therapy

Surgical arthrolysis of the stiff elbow: a systematic review.
Lanzerath F, Wegmann K, Hackl M, Uschok S, Ott N, Müller LP, Leschinger T
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2023 May;143(5):2383-2393. Epub 2022 Apr 28 doi: 10.1007/s00402-022-04442-0. PMID: 35482109Free PMC Article
Manipulation under anesthesia for the postsurgical stiff elbow: a case series and review of literature.
Rotman D, Factor S, Schermann H, Kadar A, Atlan F, Pritsch T, Rosenblatt Y
Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2019 Dec;29(8):1679-1685. Epub 2019 Jul 6 doi: 10.1007/s00590-019-02492-6. PMID: 31280368
Surgical treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness: a systematic review.
Kodde IF, van Rijn J, van den Bekerom MP, Eygendaal D
J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2013 Apr;22(4):574-80. Epub 2013 Feb 1 doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2012.11.010. PMID: 23375881
Arthroscopic management of the stiff elbow.
Keener JD, Galatz LM
J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2011 May;19(5):265-74. doi: 10.5435/00124635-201105000-00004. PMID: 21536626
Electromyographic activity in stiff and normal elbows during elbow flexion and extension.
Page C, Backus SI, Lenhoff MW
J Hand Ther 2003 Jan-Mar;16(1):5-11. doi: 10.1016/s0894-1130(03)80018-2. PMID: 12611440

Prognosis

Elbow stiffness: Interview with professor Bernard Morrey.
Celli A, Pederzini LA, Morrey BF
J ISAKOS 2024 Feb;9(1):94-97. Epub 2023 Sep 9 doi: 10.1016/j.jisako.2023.09.002. PMID: 37696358
Manipulation under anesthesia for the postsurgical stiff elbow: a case series and review of literature.
Rotman D, Factor S, Schermann H, Kadar A, Atlan F, Pritsch T, Rosenblatt Y
Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2019 Dec;29(8):1679-1685. Epub 2019 Jul 6 doi: 10.1007/s00590-019-02492-6. PMID: 31280368
Open surgical release for contractures of the elbow.
Streubel PN, Cohen MS
J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2015 Jun;23(6):328-38. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00051. PMID: 26001425
Elbow arthroscopy in stiff elbow.
Pederzini LA, Nicoletta F, Tosi M, Prandini M, Tripoli E, Cossio A
Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2014 Feb;22(2):467-73. Epub 2013 Feb 23 doi: 10.1007/s00167-013-2424-0. PMID: 23435987
Elbow arthritis: current concepts.
Papatheodorou LK, Baratz ME, Sotereanos DG
J Hand Surg Am 2013 Mar;38(3):605-13. Epub 2013 Feb 5 doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.12.037. PMID: 23391361

Clinical prediction guides

Arthroscopic release for the severely stiff elbow.
Temporin K, Shimada K, Oura K, Owaki H
Musculoskelet Surg 2020 Apr;104(1):81-86. Epub 2019 Apr 3 doi: 10.1007/s12306-019-00601-6. PMID: 30945150
Manipulation under anesthesia for the postsurgical stiff elbow: a case series and review of literature.
Rotman D, Factor S, Schermann H, Kadar A, Atlan F, Pritsch T, Rosenblatt Y
Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2019 Dec;29(8):1679-1685. Epub 2019 Jul 6 doi: 10.1007/s00590-019-02492-6. PMID: 31280368
Release of the stiff elbow with mini-open technique.
Kruse KK, Papatheodorou LK, Weiser RW, Sotereanos DG
J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2016 Mar;25(3):355-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2015.10.025. PMID: 26927431
Open surgical release for contractures of the elbow.
Streubel PN, Cohen MS
J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2015 Jun;23(6):328-38. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00051. PMID: 26001425
Arthroscopic management of stiff elbow.
Singh H, Nam KY, Moon YL
Orthopedics 2011 Jun 14;34(6):167. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20110427-16. PMID: 21667902

Recent systematic reviews

Surgical arthrolysis of the stiff elbow: a systematic review.
Lanzerath F, Wegmann K, Hackl M, Uschok S, Ott N, Müller LP, Leschinger T
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2023 May;143(5):2383-2393. Epub 2022 Apr 28 doi: 10.1007/s00402-022-04442-0. PMID: 35482109Free PMC Article
Surgical treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness: a systematic review.
Kodde IF, van Rijn J, van den Bekerom MP, Eygendaal D
J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2013 Apr;22(4):574-80. Epub 2013 Feb 1 doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2012.11.010. PMID: 23375881

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