Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an integrated orthopedic rehabilitation program on elbow joint function recovery in patients after surgical treatment for ulnar olecranon fractures, compared to conventional rehabilitation. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 87 patients who underwent surgery for ulnar olecranon fractures. Based on the standard of care at the time of admission, patients were assigned to a control group (n=42) receiving conventional rehabilitation or an observation group (n=45) receiving an integrated rehabilitation program. The integrated program comprised preoperative education, standardized in-hospital training, a structured 24-week home-based protocol with phased goals, and monitored follow-up. The primary outcome was the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). Secondary outcomes included elbow range of motion (ROM), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, and complication rates. RESULTS: The observation group showed a significantly higher rehabilitation effectiveness rate (97.78% vs 80.95%, p=0.026). They also achieved superior MEPS (75.31 vs 53.85, p<0.001), ADL scores (62.64 vs 55.17, p<0.001), and lower VAS scores (2.36 vs 4.36, p<0.001). Elbow ROM improvements in flexion, extension, pronation, and supination were all significantly greater in the observation group (all p<0.001). Complication rates did not differ significantly (6.67% vs 9.52%, p=0.924). CONCLUSION: The integrated orthopedic rehabilitation program is superior to conventional rehabilitation in promoting functional recovery, improving range of motion, enhancing daily living activities, and alleviating pain in patients after ulnar olecranon fracture surgery. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limitations of a retrospective design and a modest sample size. Integrated rehabilitation represents a highly effective postoperative management strategy for these patients.