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Seidengasse 16, 8001 Zurich

Stiff elbow - “Stiff Elbow”

Causes, symptoms and treatment options

FOCUS ON FUNCTION

Elbow stiffness - “Stiff Elbow”

Ellbogensteife Stiff Elbow

Stiff elbow, also known as “stiff elbow”, is a restriction of movement in the elbow joint that can be caused by injury, inflammation, osteoarthritis or scarring. Those affected can no longer fully extend or bend their arm, which can severely impair their everyday life and work.

Common causes are bone fractures, operations, joint infections or rheumatic diseases that lead to stiffening due to scarring of the joint capsule or surrounding soft tissue. Calcifications or bone growths in the joint can also restrict mobility.

The therapy depends on the severity of the restriction. In many cases, targeted physiotherapy, mobilization techniques or infiltrations can help to restore mobility. If conservative measures are not sufficient or the stiffness is very pronounced, surgery may be necessary. This involves removing unwanted tissue, adhesions or bony blockages - often using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques.

If you suffer from limited mobility in your elbow, we will carefully examine the causes and work with you to develop a customized treatment strategy.

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