Elbow Stiffness
Why Can't I Fully Straighten or Bend My Elbow?
A persistent loss of elbow motion — trouble fully straightening or fully bending the arm — following an injury, fracture, or prolonged immobilization is known as elbow stiffness or contracture. The elbow is one of the joints most prone to developing lasting stiffness after trauma, which makes early attention to motion important during recovery from any elbow injury.
Causes
Stiffness commonly follows fractures, dislocations, prolonged casting or splinting, or significant soft tissue injury around the joint. Scar tissue can form both within the joint and in the surrounding capsule and ligaments, mechanically blocking full motion.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis is made through examination, measuring the specific motion loss, with imaging to identify any bony blocks to motion. Treatment often starts with focused physical therapy and sometimes splinting protocols designed to gradually stretch the contracted tissue. When stiffness is severe or doesn't respond to therapy, surgical release — removing scar tissue and any bony blocks — can restore meaningful motion.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can elbow stiffness improve with therapy alone?
Yes, many cases improve significantly with dedicated physical therapy and structured stretching, especially when started early. Sometimes we will use a stretching mechanical device.
Is surgery for elbow stiffness a big procedure?
It varies — some cases are addressed arthroscopically with a relatively quick recovery, while more severe or long-standing contractures may need a more extensive open release.