Elbow stiffness after trauma
Information for patients
Physiotherapy Department
The aim of this leaflet is to give you some understanding of the problems you
may have with your elbow. It has been divided into sections, describing what
we know about elbow stiffness and your treatment options. It is not a substitute
for professional healthcare advice and should be used along with verbal
information given by your GP or Physiotherapist.
The elbow joint is a type of hinge joint. It bends (flexion) and straightens
(extension), as well as turning your palm up or down. The normal range of
movement is from 0 to 145 degrees. However, the range of movement that we
use for daily activities is only from 30 to 130 degrees.
This means that for most people a bit
of loss of movement does not cause
problems with function.
However, if you cannot bend your
elbow so your hand can touch your
mouth, you may find this quite
disabling.
What can be the cause?
The most common cause of stiffness is after trauma and injury. In fact, some
stiffness after an elbow injury is very common and is often difficult to manage.
Usually stiffness improves, but sometimes it may not. The amount of stiffness is
directly related to the degree of initial trauma. It also depends on whether the
joint surfaces were damaged. The length of time you had to keep your elbow
still after injury also leads to more long-term stiffness.
What are the symptoms?
The major symptoms of stiff elbow are pain and loss of movement. The
symptoms may develop gradually or suddenly, depending on the cause.
In most cases, the elbow will be sore to move, which may gradually worsen over
time and cause stiffness.
What tests may be done?
The main way we diagnose elbow problems is through what you tell us and by
examining your elbow. Sometimes we may get an x-ray to see if there is wear
and tear in the joint.
What are my treatment options?
The goal in treatment is to help regain a pain-free, functional and stable elbow.
This means gaining extension and flexion range of around 30 to 130 degrees.
You do not need full movement of your elbow to do most every day activities.
How to influence/break the pain cycle
• Try using a cold or heat pack over the tender area for up to 10 minutes.
• Try using an anti-inflammatory cream on the area (from a chemist without a
prescription, but check you have no allergies or conditions that are influenced
by these drugs).
• Painkillers. Discuss this with your GP or Pharmacist.
• Physiotherapy. Thorough assessment of your arm, advice and exercises are
probably more important aspects of treatment. Splinting may also be used to
help regain movement. Passive stretch (someone else pushing or pulling
on your elbow) should be avoided.
• Injection. This is given around into the elbow joint. It is usually local
anaesthetic and steroid. Although it may be a painful procedure, injection can
have a good effect. We do not recommend any more than 3 injections. If
your symptoms keep returning, other treatment methods would be suggested.
Bend your elbow as far as possible.
Now straighten it as much as you can.
Next turn your palm up as much as possible.
Now turn palm down as much as you can.
Do these exercises 10 times in a row at least 4 times a day.
Developed by Musculoskeletal Redesign Group and has been reviewed by patients, Allied
Health Professionals and medical staff.
Developed: 02/2013 Review: 02/2015 LN0651