A recent case-control study demonstrated that abnormal serum uric acid metabolism is a potential risk factor for the occurrence of impaired performance and higher postoperative pain after arthrolysis in patients having post-traumatic elbow stiffness. For evaluating the postoperative clinical outcomes, the identification of the patient's preoperative serum uric acid levels would be beneficial.

In numerous orthopedic surgeries, elevated levels of uric acid in serum is considered a risk factor for adverse functional outcomes and a rise in postoperative complications. A retrospective analysis was conducted to explore the efficacy of patients with varying serum uric acid levels after elbow arthrolysis. Between March 2014 and March 2016, a total of 131 individuals having elbow stiffness who underwent arthrolysis were incorporated in this analysis.

Based on the preoperative uric acid level, all the participants were distributed into four groups (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4). For grouping patients, the quartile method was utilized: 33 in Q1 (Uric acid <293 mmol/L), 34 in Q2 (293-348 mmol/L), 32 in Q3 (348-441 mmol/L), and 32 in Q4 (441-710 mmol/L). The functional performance, complications, VAS (visual analog scale) for pain, and MEPS (Mayo Elbow Performance Score) were examined at baseline and each time point of follow-up.

Among the four groups, the preoperative data were not considerably different. At the final follow-up, the data for the extension, flexion, ROM (range of motion), MEPS, and VAS illustrated remarkable differences among the four groups:

Patients in the Q4 group demonstrated the poorest clinical outcomes. However, no significant differences were observed among the 4 groups in at the last follow-up in new-onset or exacerbation of nerve symptoms, declined muscle strength, instability, or infection,

As the level of serum uric acid elevated beyond a certain point, the improvement in elbow function after surgery was impacted. Furthermore, it was found that patients with higher preoperative uric acid levels would have more severe postoperative pain.

Thus, the detection of preoperative serum uric acid levels is valuable for determining the postoperative outcomes in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness.