Area: Elbow
Primary Problem: Increased flexion, or
bending up too much.
Most Common Procedure: Fractional
lengthening of the biceps and brachialis.
In this procedure to help improve arm
straightening, some of the elbow muscles are partially cut to weaken them
while still preserving active bending. Age and range of motion all have an
impact on the outcome. In some older and tighter patients it is impossible to
get the arm fully straight. Even in those cases, functional use of the arm
such as reaching and dressing adls can most often be improved. This procedure
can help patients with hemiplegia whose arm comes up when walking or when
using the dominant hand. This procedure, or a variation of it can also help
more dependent patients who are difficult to dress or who have skin breakdown
in the front inside of the elbow due to extreme elbow flexion.
