The tendency of the elbow joint to develop stiffness following trauma is one of the most frequent complications of the elbow, and it is due to the delicate balance between bone congruence and integrity of the capsuloligamentous structures. In a patient presenting with this condition, the choice of therapeutic strategy depends not only on the severity of the initial trauma and the time elapsed since onset of the condition, but also – and largely - on the level of activity and needs of the individual.