Arthrolysis in the treatment of ankylosis and severe post traumatic stiffness of the elbow.

: Between 1977 and 1989 the authors performed arthrolysis on 18 patients with ankylosis or severe post traumatic elbow stiffness. After an analysis of the cases, the operative technique is described and original parameters are proposed to evaluate the consequent results. The validity of arthrolysis as a possible alternative to arthroplasty or arthroprosthesis is confirmed by the 67% positive results.