Revision total knee arthroplasty for stiffness

Few studies have evaluated the results of revision of well-fixed components for stiffness, and some authors have recommended against this intervention based on poor reported results. Thirty-five consecutive patients underwent revision of both femoral and tibial components for stiffness. At a mean of 54.5 months (range, 25-134), the mean arc of motion improved by 44.5 degrees from a preoperative mean of 53.6 degrees to a postoperative mean of 98.1 degrees (P < .0001). The arc of motion improved by more than 30 degrees in 75% (24/32) of patients evaluated at a minimum of 2 years. Seventeen (49%) of the 35 patients required a further intervention for stiffness or sustained a complication. These results suggest that revision total knee arthroplasty for stiffness can be performed with a reasonable expectation of improvement, although the risk of complications and additional operative procedures is substantial.