When severe post-traumatic arthritis, heterotopic bone formation, or capsular contracture restrict elbow motion after injury--thereby limiting hand fuction, restoration of functional motion may be obtainable with elbow replacement as opposed to attempts at preserving the native elbow joint in conjunction with excision of scar tissue, extra bone etc.
Although elbow replacment in such settings may be quite a complex option, superb outcomes are indeed possible--thus the importance of considering this option as an alternative to contracture release.
