Introduction and purpose: When treating for loss of mobility in the elbow, after at least six months of conservative treatment following an injury we should consider surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the improvement in range of motion after surgery.

Materials and methods: We reviewed the cases of elbow arthrolysis carried out in our hospital from 1999 to 2004, analysing the following variables: personal data (sex, age, type of work) and information on the injury (type, location, associated lesions and degree of stiffness). The main variables were degree of mobility in flexion/extension (F-E) and pronation/supination (P-S) before and after surgery, in addition to functional and occupational results.

Statistical analysis: Percentage estimate and by 95% confidence intervals, and analysis of increased mobility after surgery in F-E and P-S using Student’s t-test of repeated measures.

Results: 52 patients who underwent arthrolysis (86% males, mean age 37.2 years) whose jobs required average exercise and with grade II stiffness in 46.2% of the cases. The average preoperative ranges of motion for F-E and P-S were 74.52 (SD 32.3) and 120.10 (SD 66.6) degrees, respectively. The postoperative estimates for both parameters were 96.5 (SD 29.5) for F-E and 158.9 (SD 39.8) for P-S. The increases were statistically significant (p< 0.00001). The increased motion in P-S was slightly better than for F-E (p=0.054).

Conclusions: After our study, we can confirm that arthrolysis is an effective surgical procedure to improve mobility in stiff elbows. It is indicated when the joint interline is preserved. The lateral approach is the most common because it enables access to the anterior and posterior aspects of the capsule. Good functional and occupational outcome in a high percentage of cases.