Longterm followup of hip and knee soft tissue release in juvenile chronic arthritis

Longterm results of soft tissue release for hip and knee flexion deformity in 27 patients with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) were evaluated. A total of 53 tenotomies were reviewed: 22 hips and 31 knees. Mean age at surgery was 12.1 years, with a mean underlying disease duration of 6.3 years and a postoperative followup of 5 years. Patients were evaluated at 3-6 months, then at one, 3 and 5 years. Results showed a marked drop in flexion contracture and an improvement in joint range up to the first 3 years postsurgery, but beyond this period benefits achieved were gradually partially lost. Only 37% of patients were able to walk before surgery. At one year followup, 81% were able to do so. Soft tissue release thus seems a beneficial therapeutic alternative to preserve both alignment and function in hip and knee flexion deformity affecting patients with JCA.