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28 years
My brother can't extend his right elbow to the maximum but in the past years, it was normal. What is the problem?
Jul 15, 2014

Dr. Rania Mousa General Medicine
Elbow stiffness may develop after an injury, after surgery, or because of arthritis. The elbow is a complex joint that allows you to bend, straighten, and rotate the forearm. If elbow stiffness is great enough to limit motion, you may lose a significant amount of function in your daily activities. Elbow stiffness can even affect your ability to do simple things such as brush your teeth, comb your hair, or feed yourself.

Elbow stiffness can be caused by changes in the joint (intrinsic) or changes in the tissues around the joint (extrinsic). Joint changes that may cause stiffness include arthritis after injury, degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or changes after infection. Extrinsic changes that may cause stiffness include scar formation or abnormal bone formation (heterotopic ossification).
Your brother need to be seen by a doctor for a detailed clinical history , physical exam during his clinic visit., x-rays of elbow, and may request a CT scan or MRI scan to better evaluate the joint and surrounding soft tissues.
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