If you do not have full range of motion of your elbow after injury, fracture or surgery, is there anything that can be done about this?

Yes--potentially. This is a very common reason for a second opinion in my office. Months following repair of a fracture or an elbow dislocation, most typically, the elbow may not have regained enough flexion (bend) or extension (the ability to straighten). Such patients are often told by their trauma surgeon that this is "par for the course"---that they need to "live with the lack of motion."

While this may be true, an assessment of current x-rays and physical examination may reveal a situation that is potentially correctable. Remember that their can be an ongoing joint problem, extra bone that formed which blocks motion, or merely a soft tissue contracture. In addition, if a radial head replacement has been performed, this may be contributing to the stiffness and residual pain.

 Revision surgery may be feasible---ideally we like hope to restore a functional arc of motion, which is felt to be 100 degrees. This means being able to flex to 130 degrees and to extend to within 30 degrees of full extension.

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