Stretching exercise in posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow

What is it about?

Posttraumatic elbow stiffness is a common complication of elbow fracture. Even a mild limitation in elbow joint range of motion which is accompanied by pain and fear of movement can lead to reducing the ability of upper limb function, thereby decreasing the health-related quality of life. Therapeutic exercise, especially stretching exercises, is an important component of physiotherapy in the management of elbow stiffness. However, there is no evidence as to whether proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching and static stretching have an effect on posttraumatic elbow stiffness. This paper examines the effectiveness of the different stretching techniques, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching and static stretching, in patients with elbow stiffness after a treated elbow fracture.

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Why is it important?

This is the first study in which the structured exercise programme for posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow is described and the effectiveness of different stretching techniques is compared in elbow stiffness after a treated elbow fracture in the literature.