Outcome of surgical treatment of arthrofibrosis following ligament reconstruction

Clinical outcome following surgical treatment and intensive physiotherapy was evaluated in patients with arthrofibrosis as a complication to varying knee-ligament reconstructions.

From 2003 to 2007, 31 patients underwent surgery for arthrofibrosis as a postoperative complication following knee-ligament reconstruction. Treatment for reduced range of motion consisted of forced manipulation or arthroscopic arthrolysis followed by intensive physiotherapy. Twenty-seven patients (12 men and 15 women; median age 35(12-70) years) were followed up. Objective examination, Pain, KOOS and Tegner scores were used to evaluate the clinical outcome at follow-up.

Fourteen patients were treated with forced manipulation alone, and the remaining thirteen were treated with forced manipulation and arthroscopic arthrolysis. The patients' median follow-up was 51 months (19-73 months). Median interval between primary surgery and surgical release was 4 (1-32) months. Median range of motion (ROM) improved from -0°(0 to 20) to 0°(+2-9) in extension deficit and from 90°(40-145) to 130°(90-155) in flexion. Mean KOOS score were symptoms 63, pain 72, ADL 77, sport 42, QOL 45. Median Tegner score was 4 (2-9).

Surgical arthrolysis combined with intensive physiotherapy improved range of motion to nearly normal values. Subjective outcome scores revealed relatively poor outcome levels compared to uncomplicated knee-ligament reconstruction. Predictors of poor outcome were global arthrofibrosis and greater than 6-month time interval from primary reconstruction and surgical release.

Retrospective clinical case series, Level IV.