Clinical Analysis Of Distal Radius-positioned Hinged External Fixator With Traditional Arthrolysis For Treating Traumatic Elbow Stiffness

Objectives:Explore the clinical effects of distal radius-positioned hinged external fixator with traditional arthrolysis for treating traumatic elbow stiffness.Methods:A analysis was made of 28 cases of traumatic elbow stiffness between October2015 and June 2017.Among them,20 patients were treated with traditional arthrolysis,8 cases of traumatic elbow stiffness were treated with distal radius-positioned hinged external fixator.Postoperative patients were followed up for 3 months to observe the therapeutic effect.All patients were evaluate for the range of motion(ROM),Mayo elbow function scores,infection and the ulnar nerve damage were statistically analyzed to discuss the surgical effects.Results:The type of elbow stiffness include 13 cases of humerus fracture,9 cases of ulna olecranon fracture,2 cases of radius and ulna fracture,2 case of intercondylar fracture of humerus,1 case of supracondylar fracture of humerus,1 case of elbow fractures associated with dislocation(terrible traid injury).28 cases of patients were followed up for 3 months postoperatively,the ROM of traditional arthrolysis group improved from preoperative 33.5±2.8 degrees to the postoperative 104.6±3.0degrees.;the mayo scores improved from preoperative 65.0±2.8 points to the postoperative 89.5±2.2 points.The ROM of hinged external fixator group improved from preoperative 26.4±0.9 degrees to the postoperative 106.5±1.8 degrees.;the mayo scores improved from preoperative 65.0±2.7 points to the postoperative 93.8±2.3points.The above results were statistically significant before and after surgery(p<0.05).The ROM of traditional arthrolysis group has increased 72.1±3.3 degrees,the mayo scores has increased 24.5±2.2 points;the ROM of hinged external fixator group has increased 80.1±2.0 degrees,the mayo scores has increased 29.4±1.8 points.The hinged external fixator group is more effective than the traditional arthrolysis group(p<0.05).Both of traditional arthrolysis group and hinged external fixator grouphas observed ulnar nerve symptoms in 1 patients.No evidence of heterotopic ossification was observed.Pin-site infection occurred in 2 patients of hinged external fixator group.Conclusions:1.The traditional arthrolysis group and distal radius-positioned hinged external fixator group can improved the ROM and mayo scores significantly.2.The distal radius-positioned.hinged external fixator group is more effective than traditional arthrolysis group,but the prevention of pin-site infection is important.