Lukeshkumar R. Bhuyar*, Ansari Aisha Siddiqua Iqbal Ahmed
Background: Currently, there are two types of interventions for elbow contracture: Operative and non-operative treatment. The operative treatment involves open or arthroscopic release, arthroplasty, and manipulation under anesthesia. The non-operative treatment mainly involves passive or assistant movement, continuous passive movement, serial bracing, and static and dynamic orthosis. The newly designed static progressive orthosis for gradual correction/prevention of contractures by the use of an elbow joint lock. The elbow joint is made such that it locks at different desirable angles to correct or prevent the contracture.
It is presented in this report which helps to improve the range of motion of the joint without using serial casting method. The mechanisms of static progressive orthosis for contracture is based on creep and stress relaxation. As one of the most common musculoskeletal complications following trauma, elbow contracture is a frequent source of disabled daily activities. Conventional interventions are inadequate to provide favorable outcome. The static progressive orthosis are getting popular in the treatment of this problem. Serial casting method is very time consuming and it requires removal and change after sometime to be kept in another angle for correction.
The new concept of elbow joint which locks at every desired angles and helps to improve the range of motion in stiff elbow joint and contractures following trauma is useful for gradual correction/ prevention of contractures in elbow joint.
Aims: The available design in the market provides gradual intervals but not less than 5 degrees of intervals. Here we aim to provide gradual correction at less than 5 degrees of intervals.
Methods: The static progressive orthosis with newly designed elbow joint lock is an attempt to introduce a new concept of the elbow joint for gradual correction/ prevention of contractures of elbow joint following trauma, musculoskeletal injuries, congenital contractures, etc.
Objectives:
• Introduction of a new elbow joint lock for elbow contractures.
• Overcoming the issues with previous designs and methods to correct or prevent contractures.
• Achieving a more normal and anatomical Range of motion using simple mechanism.
Published Date: 2025-01-21; Received Date: 2023-07-19
