Elbow stiffness ?cause

[christopher lendrum]

Hi 4 months ago i fractured my radial head and was treated with a sling and early ROM,i now have reduced rom especially into extention of the elbow but am getting most of my discomfort on the medial side/cubital tunnel region which is confusing to me.Do you think my elbow will be constantly stiff or are there any specific exercises i can do?p.s no x-ray was taken 6 weeks post fracture which i found a bit strange

[danmc]

i have the same problem and would be interested to know if you got it sorted out. its 4 mnths since i fractured my radial head. had an x ray 3 mnths post f# and theres no problem with the bone so it must be soft tissue. physio is v painful and doesnt seem to be increasing range. currently studyin physio so i asked my lecturers advice. they reckon the medial collateral ligament at the elbow was also ruptured and is full of scar tissue which is causing pain on stretching. am curently massaging the ligament with a marble after applying heat to break the scar tissue, and stretching but rom is not improving. its very frustrating.any help would be greatly appreciated.

[kalacoconut]

2.5 months ago, I had multiple fractures in BOTH my upper arms & elbows following a fall from a cycle (as well as a fracture in right shoulder & 3 cracked ribs). Some of the humerus pieces had even "jumped". I had extensive surgery (plates, pins, screws, wires), but I have the same problem as you guys, i.e. lack of movement in the elbows. I have only about 110 deg flexion & 110 deg extension in both arms. I'm having physio 3 x a week, but progress seems to be very limited.
BTW, as a lay person, I am unable to understand your medical terminology. I would be most grateful if you could explain it in layman's terms.
Thanks

[shasadah]

As per your description ,you underwent open reduction with internal fixation. 115 degree flexion is not too bad this stage.but all depend upon what they did during surgery.
which part of ur forarm bones(radius and ulna) fractured and how they fixed it.
likewise there r many things to be assessed like endfeel of rang etc.
your physio can assess these things and could tell u whether u achieve normal rang of motion or not.
If we have proper information we will give you gud sugessions.

feel free to ask any further question
gud luck

[kalacoconut]

Thanks. It was the upper arms (humerus) that had the fractures, although one of the lower arm bones (don't know which one) were also cut during surgery to move the elbows out of the way for the surgery to the humerus, which were put together with plates, screws & wires.
I am not a medical person, so I am not familiar with the medical terms. Both the physio & orth. surgeon are unable to say how much movement I'll get back.

[shasadah]

Actually its realy hard to tell you that how much rang of motion will you achieve, without physical examination.
The best option you have your physio.
keep doing exercises to get the maximum possible rang and to avoid any contracturs to develop.Some times it takes more time because of internal tissu scars. So dont give up and carry on with physiotherapy.you can put ice just after the streatching exercise that will controle the inflamation.
in which area you are living in ?? may be i could suggest you some gud therapist in your area.

gud luck

[kalacoconut]

I live in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK. Nearest big towns are High Wycombe & Maidenhead. London is about 35 miles from here. BTW, what is "contracturs"?

[Fiona B]

Hi

Just wondering how you guys are all going, interested to hear your progress.

5 weeks ago I fractured radial head and capitela (?) - had open reduction with 2 pins. Was only in cast for 2.5 weeks as due to have a baby in a couple of weeks!!

Have been in ROM brace for 2 weeks - can get to about 100 flexion and 110 extension at a push with the brace on (think I'm reading it right) but can only slightly turn wrist face up and face down Feels very stuck and I feel very miserable - does anyone have advice. My baby is due in about 2 weeks and I need some movement to be able to nurse properly.

Everyone's telling me the elbow joints hard to heal so some positive advise would be good to hear

[kalacoconut]

Hi Fiona
Yes, unfortunately regaining ROM in the elbow is a real problem. I shattered the humerus at the elbow into multiple fragments in BOTH arms 6 months ago & recovery is very slow & limited. I have been advised to carry on with physiotherapy, but not too aggressively as this can cause bone growth into the muscles which is a non-reversible process. I find that massage helps a little.
What is a ROM brace? Is it like a dynamic splint? Can you explain what this is & how it works. It appears braces are not popular in the UK & I can't understand why not.
Kalacoconut