Biomechanical study of the effect of traction on elbow joint capsule contracture

Dynamic orthoses have a significant effect on the treatment of elbow capsular contracture. Because of the lack of quantitative research on traction forces, determining the appropriate traction force to help stretch soft tissues and maintain the joint’s range of motion is a challenge in the rehabilitation process. We developed a human elbow finite element (FE) model incorporating the activity behavior of the muscles and considering different capsular contracture locations, including total, anterior and posterior capsular contractures, to analyze the internal biomechanical responses of different capsular contracture models during flexion (30 to 80 degrees). Traction loads of 10, 20, 30 and 40 N were applied to the ulna and radius at the maximum flexion angle (80 degrees) to explore the appropriate traction loads at week 4 after a joint capsule injury. We observed a significant increase in posterior capsule stress with anterior capsular contracture (ACC), and the maximum peak stress was 1.3 times higher than that in the healthy model. During the fourth week after elbow capsule injury, the appropriate traction forces for total capsule contracture (TCC), ACC and posterior capsule contracture (PCC) were 20, 10 and 20 N, respectively; these forces maintained a stable biomechanical environment for the elbow joint and achieved a soft tissue pulling effect, thus increasing elbow mobility. The results can be used as a quantitative guide for the rehabilitation physicians to determine the traction load for a specific patient.