A comparison of treatments for mixed elbow stiffness with the open arthrolysis and arthroscopic arthrolysis

Objective:To compare the effects of treatment mixed elbow stiffness with the open arthrolysis and arthroscopic arthrolysis.Methods:Twenty-one cases with mixed elbow stiffness were treated with open arthrolysis,and the mean interval time between trauma and arthrolysis was 13.5 months,the other 21 cases were treated with arthroscopic arthrolysis as control,and the mean interval time was 12.9 months.The treatment effects of the open arthrolysis and arthroscopic arthrolysis were compared according to the criterions of range of motion(ROM) and elbow joint founction of Mayo.Results:All cases were followed up for 18 to 49 months.The postoperation scores of ROM and Mayo of all cases were significantly improved compared with that of preoperation(P0.01).The postoperation scores of the open arthrolysis group were better than that of the arthroscopic arthrolysis group(P0.01).Conclusions:The open arthrolysis and arthroscopic arthrolysis are safe and effective method for treating mixed elbow stiffness.Meanwhile,the open arthrolysis can better improve the motion range of elbow joint and promote its functional recovery than the arthroscopic arthrolysis group.