Recovery of the muscle function after stable elbow fractures

Abstract

Problem statement Recovery of the function of the elbow joint after intra-articular fractures is a difficult goal for achievement. The literature review on that topic showed that there is no published physiotherapy method for restoration of muscle function in the elbow joint after intra-articular fractures. This provokes us to apply our own method and to follow its effect on the restoration of the muscular function in the elbow. Purpose of the study is to determine the impact of own physiotherapy method on the recovery of muscular function in the elbow joint after stable intra-articular fractures. Approach The functional recovery of 30 patients was monitored for a period of three months after the removal of immobilization of the upper limb. During that period of time manual muscle testing and hand dynamometry data were collected. Results and Conclusions After removing of the immobilization were observed suppression of muscle function in elbow manifested in weakness and inability to perform active movements. At the end of the experiment were achieved 95.28% of strength of the hand and more than 50% of patients have maximal evaluation of manual muscle testing of flexors, extensors and rotators of elbow joint. During the course of physiotherapy muscle strength were gradually recovered. We did not find a significant difference at the end of the experiment in the analyzed indicators compared to the healthy upper limb. All that results allows us to conclude that careful selection of tools of physiotherapy designed to restore muscle function gives good result and allows early involvement of upper extremity in daily and work activities.