Rehabilitation after surgical release of the stiff elbow: A literature review

Background: Elbow stiffness poses a significant challenge for surgeons as well as physiotherapists during and after surgery. To date, there is no consensus regarding the subsequent rehabilitation after surgical release of the stiff elbow.

Objective: The aim is to evaluate the most important therapeutic strategies following open or arthroscopic release of the stiff elbow based on a comprehensive literature review, and to develop a consensus for or against specific therapeutic methods with the help of a survey among elbow experts of the D-A-CH Association for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (DVSE).

Methods: Literature search was performed based on guidelines, the "health technology assessments", systematic reviews and clinical studies that examined rehabilitation after osteocapsular release of the stiff elbow. The databases of the "Guidelines International Network", various national guidelines, PubMed, the "Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials", the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews", and the "Physiotherapy Evidence Database" were scanned, each for the period from January 1989 to December 2019. As part of an online survey, all active members of the DVSE were asked about their strategies in immediate aftercare and rehabilitation after elbow arthrolysis.

Results: A total of 5 reviews and 55 articles could be identified from 107 articles since 1989, which served as the basis for the preparation of an evidence-based aftercare recommendation. By reviewing all the mentioned paper and evaluation of the survery of DVSE members, a basic concept could be finalized.