Mechanotherapy in elbow joint function restoration in patients with contractures

BACKGROUND: Traumatic elbow injuries are relatively rare clinical cases, accounting for no more than 5% of all skeletal trauma. However, post-traumatic and postoperative complications occur in a significant proportion of patients, ranging from 18% to 85% according to various reports. Of particular note is that persistent post-traumatic stiffness develops in 18% of affected individuals. Currently, the clinical aspects of mechanotherapy use in elbow motor function recovery in patients with post-traumatic contractures remain insufficiently investigated.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of passive mechanotherapy using the Flex F03 device in elbow injuries complicated by contracture.

METHODS: The study included 79 patients aged 18 to 72 years with elbow injuries and contractures who provided informed consent to participate in the study and to have their medical data published for scientific purposes. Patients were enrolled no earlier than the second day and no later than six months after immobilization was removed. The patients were randomized into two groups: the control group (36 patients) and the study group (43 patients). The diagnostic protocol included: clinical examination; pain and functional assessment using the visual analog scale (VAS); upper limb functional assessment using the DASH questionnaire; patient condition assessment using the Modified Rankin Scale; and motor deficit assessment using the MRC scale. Both groups received a standardized 10-day course of treatment, including therapeutic exercise, cervical massage, polychromatic polarized phototherapy, and magnetotherapy. In addition, patients in the study group underwent passive mechanotherapy using the Flex F03 device according to the authors’ method.

RESULTS: After rehabilitation, both groups showed statistically significant improvements in the following parameters: increased flexion and supination angles in the elbow joint, reduced motor deficit in flexor and extensor muscles across all upper limb segments, decreased pain intensity, and improved daily activity (DASH). Significantly greater improvements were observed in the study group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION: Passive mechanotherapy in the proposed regimen produces the following clinical effects: increased range of motion in the elbow joint, reduced upper limb motor deficit, decreased pain intensity, and improved daily activity. Early introduction of passive mechanotherapy into the rehabilitation process can shorten the duration of the rehabilitation course, reduce the number of required treatment courses, and increase the likelihood of achieving functional range of motion in the elbow joint.