Abstract: ObjectiveTo evaluate the significance of flexion priority strategy and the principle of joint mobilization technique in the rehabilitation of posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow. Methods24 patients with posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow were divided into 2 groups, 12 patients in each group. The treatment group was treated with flexion priority strategy of joint mobilization technique only in the treatment of flexion contracture. In order to decrease the pain caused by joint mobilization training of extension and achieve the restoration of flexion as early as possible, the rehabilitation of extension was altered to self-exercise under the consultation of doctors combined with gentle passive traction by the therapist. The control group was treated with joint mobilization technique of both flexion and extension once a day. All the patients were measured the flexion range, extension range, and flexion-extension arc after 6 weeks of rehabilitation. Results6 weeks after rehabilitation, the treatment group got 124° of flexion (range 95°～135°), much better than the control group of 95° (range 80°～110°) （P<0.01）. There was no significant difference of extension degrees between the treatment group (15°, range 10°～35°) and the control group (16°, range 10°～30°) （P＞0.05）. The final arc of flexion and extension in the treatment group had an increase of 53°, significantly greater than 30° in the control group（P<0.01）. ConclusionFlexion priority strategy of elbow rehabilitation can significantly restore the flexion function of posttraumatic elbow stiffness.

Key words: joint mobilization technique, elbow stiffness, flexion priority