Early Joint Use Following Elbow Dislocation Limits Range-of-Motion Loss and Tissue Pathology in Posttraumatic Joint Contracture.

This study showed that beginning active mobilization 3 days after injury minimized posttraumatic joint contracture, thereby supporting an immediate-motion clinical treatment strategy (when possible). Furthermore, uninjured but pathologically altered periarticular tissues near the injury location may contribute to more severe contracture during longer immobilization periods as the disease state progresses.