[Knee capsulotomy for fixed knee flexion contracture]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Cerebral palsy (CP) management

Context:

• Fixed knee flexion contracture is a common challenge in children with cerebral palsy, impacting mobility and function.
• Surgical interventions are often necessary to address severe contractures that limit daily activities.
• Posterior knee capsulotomy is a surgical technique considered for managing knee flexion contractures.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of posterior knee capsulotomy in correcting fixed knee flexion contracture in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.
• To identify factors associated with treatment success and failure.
• To assess the complication profile of the procedure.

Summary:

• Posterior knee capsulotomy significantly improved knee flexion contracture (average 9.5 degrees) and popliteal angle in 35 children with CP.
• Success was observed in 64.4% of knees, while 35.6% experienced recurrence.
• Higher failure rates were associated with male gender and younger age, with transient sciatic nerve palsy being a notable complication.

Impact:

• Provides a surgical option for improving knee extension in children with CP.
• Highlights the importance of considering patient-specific factors for optimizing surgical outcomes.
• Contributes to the understanding of long-term results and potential complications of capsulotomy in this population.