Arthroscopic management of postoperative arthrofibrosis of the knee joint: indication, technique, and results

Arthroscopy. 1994 Dec;10(6):591-7. doi: 10.1016/s0749-8063(05)80053-2.

Abstract

From October 1987 through March 1991, 58 patients with postoperative joint stiffness underwent arthroscopic fibroarthrolysis. Forty-six knees in 46 patients were followed. The indication for arthroscopic management was decreased range of motion after surgery. Eighty-seven percent had been treated by arthrotomy. Thirteen percent had been managed by arthroscopic surgery. The indication for primary surgery was a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 74%. The mean interval between arthroscopic fibroarthrolysis and follow-up was 22.1 months. The average age was 32.7 years. A modified Blauth and Jäger score was used for classification of fibroarthrosis: grade I (mild 17.4%), grade II (moderate 63%), grade III (severe 15.2%), and grade IV (bad 4.3%). The gain in range of motion was evaluated by the Cauchoix index: the results were excellent in 54.5%, good in 21.7%, and fair and poor in 23.8%. Pain was evaluated according to a modification of the Lysholm score: 80.4% of the patients experienced a reduction in pain. The sports activity level in the Tegner activity scale increased from 2.3 to 4.8. Patient satisfaction was excellent or good in 56.5% (n = 26), fair in 39.1% (n = 18), and poor in 4.3% (n = 2). On the basis of our retrospective study, we feel that arthroscopic fibroarthrolysis is of benefit to the patients with postoperative joint stiffness even after a prolonged period.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / pathology
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / surgery*
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
  • Arthroscopy*
  • Fibrosis
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Joint Diseases / diagnosis
  • Joint Diseases / etiology
  • Joint Diseases / physiopathology
  • Joint Diseases / surgery
  • Knee Injuries / diagnosis
  • Knee Injuries / etiology
  • Knee Injuries / physiopathology
  • Knee Injuries / surgery*
  • Knee Joint / pathology
  • Knee Joint / physiopathology
  • Knee Joint / surgery*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain, Postoperative / diagnosis
  • Pain, Postoperative / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Reoperation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rupture
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / methods
  • Time Factors