Morrey et al. used a triaxial electrogoniometer to measure elbow flexion and forearm rotation simultaneously in 33 healthy adults performing 15 standardized daily activities. The central question: how much elbow motion do people actually need to function?
Before this paper, elbow motion requirements for daily function were unstudied — surgeons had no objective basis for setting reconstruction targets or estimating disability from motion loss.
When planning total elbow arthroplasty, arthrodesis, or post-injury rehabilitation, use 30–130° flexion and 50° pronation / 50° supination as your minimum functional benchmarks. A stiff elbow that falls within these ranges can support most daily activities.
When counseling a patient about unilateral elbow arthrodesis, the evidence-based position is 90° of flexion. For bilateral arthrodesis, fuse one side at 65° (for perineal care and shoe-tying) and the other at 110° (for feeding and grooming).
One nuance worth knowing: the paper confirmed that post-arthroplasty motion averages (31–132° flexion, 55° pronation, 65° supination) clear the functional threshold. Which is part of why total elbow arthroplasty became an accepted reconstruction option for the right patient.
Morrey et al. used a triaxial electrogoniometer to measure elbow flexion and forearm rotation simultaneously in 33 healthy adults performing 15 standardized daily activities. The central question: how much elbow motion do people actually need to function?
Before this paper, elbow motion requirements for daily function were unstudied — surgeons had no objective basis for setting reconstruction targets or estimating disability from motion loss.
When planning total elbow arthroplasty, arthrodesis, or post-injury rehabilitation, use 30–130° flexion and 50° pronation / 50° supination as your minimum functional benchmarks. A stiff elbow that falls within these ranges can support most daily activities.
When counseling a patient about unilateral elbow arthrodesis, the evidence-based position is 90° of flexion. For bilateral arthrodesis, fuse one side at 65° (for perineal care and shoe-tying) and the other at 110° (for feeding and grooming).
One nuance worth knowing: the paper confirmed that post-arthroplasty motion averages (31–132° flexion, 55° pronation, 65° supination) clear the functional threshold. Which is part of why total elbow arthroplasty became an accepted reconstruction option for the right patient.