Osteoblastoma causing rigidity of the elbow

A 21-year-old man complained of pain and rigidity of the elbow with a flexion contracture of 100°. A radio-graphic examination revealed an 1.5-cm osteolytic injury in the center of a sclerotic lesion in the distal humerus. The diagnosis of an osteoblastoma was later confirmed histologically. Once the tumor had been excised, the pain disappeared and functional mobility was reestablished.