What benefit does elbow motion provide when using a Sarmiento orthosis?

The benefit of elbow motion when using a Sarmiento orthosis is primarily to minimize stiffness. The Sarmiento orthosis is designed to facilitate early mobilization while providing stabilization for fractures, particularly in the humeral region. Allowing for controlled elbow motion helps maintain joint mobility, which is crucial in preventing contractures and stiffness that can arise from prolonged immobilization.

Maintaining elbow motion encourages synovial fluid movement around the joint, which nourishes the cartilage and helps in maintaining range of motion. The dynamic interaction of muscles and joints during natural elbow movement also contributes to maintaining muscle tone and preventing atrophy. This is important in promoting functional recovery after an injury.

In terms of the other options, while increasing bone density and accelerating healing time may be secondary outcomes of movement, they are not the primary benefits provided by maintaining elbow motion in this context. Similarly, reducing pain perception could occur to some extent with increased mobility, but it is not the main advantage of allowing elbow movement when using a Sarmiento orthosis.