The effect of simulated elbow arthrodesis on the ability to perform activities of daily living

The dominant elbow joint of 24 healthy volunteers was immobilized with a fu nctional brace in increments of 20 degrees (6 positions ranging from 30 deg rees to 130 degrees). Average scores were obtained for personal care hygien e tasks (PCH), activity of daily living (ADL), and total functional scores (PCH + ADL) for each elbow flexion position. Functional scores increased wi th increasing elbow flexion, peaking at 110 degrees and then tapering down. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed statistical significance, wi th functional scores improving with increasing elbow flexion for PCH, ADL, and PCH + ADL scores. Further pairwise comparisons for elbow position betwe en 90 degrees and 110 degrees flexion groups demonstrated significant highe r mean functional scores for ADL and combined PCH + ADL for the 110 degrees group. The results of this study support a clear advantage in subjects' up per-extremity functional abilities with the elbow immobilized at 110 degree s of flexion when dealing with normal upper-extremity joints. This angle of flexion should be considered in patients undergoing trial immobilization b efore an elbow arthrodesis. Copyright (C) 2001 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.