Abstract
The primary function of the elbow is to position and stabilize the hand in space. It has been estimated that to obtain this, the required physiologic arc of movement is about 0–145° for extension and flexion, respectively, and of 70–85° for pronation and supination (Palastanga et al. 2006). Morrey et al. (1981) stated that, to perform the basic activity of daily living, a minimum arc of movement of 30–130° in extension and flexion and of 50–50° in pronation and supination is enough. A stiff elbow has been defined by Sojbjerg as one with a loss of extension greater than 30° and less than 120° of flexion (Sojbjerg 1996). From these data we must put our attention to the fact that a loss of terminal extension is less disabling than a loss of the same degree of terminal flexion: this will be important when we will deal with the rehabilitation program.
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Guerra, E., Marinelli, A., Rotini, M. (2018). Elbow Stiffness. In: Porcellini, G., Rotini, R., Stignani Kantar, S., Di Giacomo, S. (eds) The Elbow. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27805-6_30
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