The 'anvil' osteophyte-a primary cause of fixed flexion of the knee?

Three cases are reported in which clinical presentation was with arthritic symptoms and inability to straighten the knee. An unusually prominent anterior tibial osteophyte, whose shape is remarkably suggestive of a blacksmith's anvil, appeared to be a contributory factor through its apparent impingement with the femoral trochlea at the limit of extension. The osteophyte was radically removed arthroscopically in each case as an isolated gesture, and the patients were followed up with particular emphasis on fixed flexion deformity. At clinical review, after a mean follow-up period of 5.3 years, it was concluded that there had not been a convincing or sustained improvement in knee function, although the fixed flexion deformities had not increased significantly. Our conclusion is that the 'anvil' osteophyte may simply be a part of a more diffuse degenerative process and that it was probably not, in itself, the primary cause of fixed flexion deformity in these cases.