[Arthrolysis and arthroplasty of the elbow joint. A comparison of surgical results between children and adults].

Because of stiffness of the elbow joint until 1988 146 operations have been done in 132 patients on the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in Heidelberg. 55 procedures have been done in children and adolescents younger than 16 years, 91 times in adults. In both groups posttraumatic stiffness and stiffness of other origin have been treated. Procedures have been mobilisation in anesthesia, simple or enlarged arthrolysis as well as arthroplasties. Results have been evaluated by the method of Cauchoix and Deburge (relative gain of range of movement). In nontraumatic stiffness of the elbow younger patients under the age of 16 years showed better results than the adults, in posttraumatics the results seemed to be better in the adults. Mere mobilisation in anesthesia showed disappointing results in both groups generally.