Treatment of Post-Traumatic Elbow Stiffness Using Soft Tissue Interposition Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study in the Jordanian Population

Elbow fractures account for 7% of total adult fractures, the aim of this study to determine the functional outcome of post traumatic elbow stiffness managed with soft tissue interposition arthroplasty. Materials and methods: This are a retrospective study with data collection From January 2001 to October 2019, in Orthopedics and Trauma Clinic in Royal Medical Services, 12 patients were included in the study. Three different scores were used: The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Results: The results showed that the total score calculated with the MEPS in the preoperative (58.3) and in the postoperative (69.6) has an average increase of 11.3 points. There is an increase in the range of movement (from 7.1 to 16.7 points), with a greater degree of extension (from 70.8 ° to 28.3 °) and bending (from 93.7 ° at 126.6 °) and greater autonomy. DASH score performance of daily functions increased with a range (from 2.1 to 21.7 points) after surgery. Pain has an acute increase, rising from 41.3 (very mild pain) to 27.5 (moderate pain level). Joint stability also decreases and its values move from 8.3 to 5.4 points. Conclusion: This procedure is recommended for young patients with high functional requirements as an alternative to elbow arthroplasty