Successful elbow contracture release secondary to melorheostosis. A case report

Abstract

Melorheostosis is a rare, noninheritable developmental dysplasia of cortical bone that is often characterized by a classic radiographic pattern of flowing hyperostosis along the cortex of long bones1. Patients with this conditionmay have joint pain, stiffness, deformity, and restricted range of motion due to soft-tissue contracture. Involvement usually follows a sclerotomal distribution3 and usually affects only one extremity4,5. Joint contracture occurs when the abnormal ossification in the cortex of the long bone involves the soft tissues and extends into the joint, resulting in soft-tissue fibrosis and contracture2,5,6. There is no specific treatment for this condition; options range from nonsurgical management