8. ELBOW

Figure 7. Supination-Pronation of the Wrist
Full Pronation
8. ELBOW
Percent Loss of Use of the Arm:
Amputation at Different Levels
Amputation % Loss of Use
of the Arm
At Elbow or Above 100%
Three Inches 95%
Below Elbow
Mid-Forearm 90%
At Wrist Joint 80%
MEDICAL GUIDELINES OF THE NYS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD
90 90
Ankylosis of the elbow in functional position
equals 66 2/3% loss of use of the arm. Higher
percentage is given for
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Neutral
Full Supination
extremes of flexion or rotation of the forearm.
Percent Loss of Use of the Arm:
Extension Defects of the Elbow
Range of Motion % Loss of Use
of the Arm
150 degree flexion to 25%
45 degree extension
150 degree flexion to 50%
90 degree extension
150 degree flexion to 85%
125 degree extension

EXTREMITIES
Figure 8. Percent Loss of Use of the Arm: Flexion 3. Medial and lateral epicondylitis are usually
Defects of the Elbow given a schedule, but if it becomes chronic,
severe and disabling, consider classification.
4. Olecranon fracture and olecranon bursitis.
Schedules depend on residual defects.
150 = Normal Flexion
5. Olecranon excision equals 10% loss of the use
125 = 7 1/2-10% of the arm for bone loss and add for mobility
110 = 20%
defects.
90 = 33 1/3 - 40%
45 = 66 2/3%
0 = Ankylosis of the Elbow, 90%
Flexion Defects % Loss of Use
of the Elbow of the Arm
To 45 degrees 66 2/3%
To 90 degrees 33 1/3%
To 110 degrees 20%
To 125 degrees 7 1/2%
Special Considerations
1. Loss of head of the radius equals 10% loss of
use of the arm and add for mobility defects.
2. Laxity of the elbow with hyperextension
defect equals 10 to 15% loss of use of the
arm.
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9. SHOULDER JOINT
l. Amputation from elbow to shoulder equals
100% loss of use of arm.
2. Ankylosis at scapulo-humeral joint at 0
degree equals 80% loss of use of the arm.
3. Abduction to 90 degrees equals 40% loss of
use of the arm. Do not add mild defects of
internal and external rotation to avoid
cumulative values. May add 10-15% for
marked defects of rotation and muscle
atrophy.
4. Mild defect of adduction equals 7 l/2 to 10%
loss of use of the arm.
5. Mild defect of posterior extension equals 7
1/2 to 10% loss of use of the arm.
Percent Loss of Use of the Arm:
Anterior Flexion Defects of the Shoulder
Anterior Flexion to % Loss of Use
of the Arm
135 degrees 20%
90 degrees 40%
45 degrees 60%
25 degrees 70%