Observation about "Open surgical release of posttraumatic elbow contracture in children and adolescents"

Piper et al1 recently published the paper entitled “Open Surgical Release of Posttraumatic Elbow Contracture in Children and Adolescents,” exploring an important orthopaedic problem in young population. The authors retrospectively investigated the open surgical release of posttraumatic elbow contracture, in 26 patients, finalized to restore the elbow range of motion. The subjects were evaluated from a clinical point of view and by the use of radiography. The interventions to administer were decided on the basis of patients’ conditions and could provide for capsulotomies, osteoplasties, heterotopic ossification removal, ulnar nerve transposition, or decompression and ligament rebuilding. After the surgery, rehabilitation, consisting of static progressive bracing program or use of continuous passive motion machine, was administered. The authors found the elbow range of motion was ameliorated through the open contracture release