Limited elbow flexion

The elbow joint is a very important joint in our limbs. The flexible movements of our upper limbs all rely on the connecting function of the elbow joint. If there is a problem with this part, it will have a great impact on our normal life. In daily life, many people experience limited elbow flexion and are very concerned about the reasons. So, what is limited elbow flexion? Let’s take a closer look below.

The elbow joint is the joint that connects the upper arm and the forearm, which is commonly known as the "elbow". The elbow joint is not a single joint, but includes three joints: the humero-ulnar joint, the humeroradial joint and the proximal radioulnar joint. Therefore, the elbow joint is a compound joint, which is composed of the humerus, ulna, radius, the elbow joint capsule and the surrounding ligaments.

The physiological activities of the elbow joint include flexion and extension and rotation. Flexion and extension is to straighten the arm and bend the arm, while rotation is the pronation and supination of the forearm, which is used to control the palm to face down and up. The normal functional range is flexion 135° to 150°, pronation or supination 80° to 90°, and hyperextension 10° to 15°. Hyperextension is the physiological valgus angle, also called the carrying angle, which is more obvious when lifting heavy objects and allows the body to maintain a certain distance from the heavy object.

The normal functional range of the elbow can meet the entertainment and work needs in daily life. For example, answering the phone requires the greatest elbow flexion, and holding the microphone at a KTV also requires a certain degree of elbow flexion. Using the mouse and keyboard in the office and picking up food with chopsticks every day require forearm pronation. When washing your face, you must supinate your forearm so that you can wipe your face with your palm facing up, etc.

Studies have reported that if the range of motion of the elbow joint is limited by 50%, the entire upper limb function will be lost by 80%. This shows that the elbow joint plays a role in fully utilizing the upper limb activities of humans. Once the elbow joint movement is limited, it will have a profound impact on people's daily lives, directly leading to a decline in the quality of life.

Limited elbow movement generally includes two types: traumatic limited elbow movement and degenerative limited elbow movement. Traumatic limitation of elbow motion is common in clinical practice. It is caused by trauma or inappropriate post-traumatic treatment after elbow injury or intra-articular and extra-articular fracture surgery. For example, if the elbow is immobilized for more than three weeks after an elbow injury, joint stiffness and limited elbow movement may easily occur.

In addition, the elbow joint after trauma is very prone to traumatic osteomyositis, which is when calcium salts are deposited in soft tissues such as muscles and grow into bones. The soft tissue of the joint becomes "bone", and its range of motion is naturally limited.

In summary, multiple factors such as soft tissue contracture, heterotopic ossification, malformation of the joint inside and outside, nonunion, and articular cartilage defect are the causes of traumatic elbow joint movement limitation.