Intermittent pneumatic compression therapy for patients after arthroscopic release of post-traumatic elbow stiffness: A randomised controlled trial

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression therapy after arthroscopic release for post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting Single-centre trial conducted in Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China. Participants A total of 197 patients undergoing arthroscopic elbow release were randomised into intervention ( n = 99) and control ( n = 98) groups; 176 completed the study (intervention: n = 89, control: n = 87). Intervention The intervention group received intermittent pneumatic compression therapy (GameReady™) for 2 weeks plus four-week standard rehabilitation; the control group had rehabilitation alone. Main measures The primary outcome was improvement in elbow flexion-extension range-of-motion at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included forearm rotation range-of-motion, elbow strength (measured by Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment), and patient-reported outcomes at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Results At 12 weeks, elbow flexion-extension range-of-motion did not differ significantly between groups. Secondary objective outcomes (forearm rotation and elbow strength) were also similar. However, the Intervention group reported significantly better elbow function at 24 weeks (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score function subscore: 95% confidence intervals: 0.186–1.719; P = 0.015). Pain and disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire scores showed no significant differences between groups. Conclusions Intermittent pneumatic compression therapy did not significantly improve early elbow mobility or strength following arthroscopic release, but enhanced patient-reported elbow function at longer-term follow-up. Intermittent pneumatic compression therapy may be beneficial as an adjunct to standard rehabilitation. Further studies with larger samples and extended follow-up are needed. Trial registration number ChiCTR2500101221 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, https://www.chictr.org.cn/ , date of registration: 2025-04-22).