[Surgical treatment of arthrofibrosis of the knee joint]

Arthrofibrosis of the knee joint is a severe complication following trauma and surgical procedures, which often results in long-term impairment of joint function. Early mobilization techniques and anesthesia are still employed without sufficient clarification of the underlying processes. While the early stages of arthrofibrosis can be successfully treated with conservative measures for pain reduction and wound healing, in the late stage tense collagenous scar tissue is frequently present that permanently limits joint mobility. In this stage an improvement of joint mobility has no chance of success without a surgical intervention. In surgical treatment a differentiation should be made between localized (mostly secondary) arthrofibrosis (e.g. cruciate ligament surgery) and generalized arthrofibrosis (in the majority of cases primarily after total knee arthroplasty) and the treatment planned accordingly. Comorbid pathological alterations (transplant position, instability of the total knee endoprosthesis, implant attrition, low-grade infection, patellofemoral instability or maltracking, patella baja) must be taken into consideration in the treatment. A multimodal accompanying treatment including physiotherapy, pain therapy and psychosomatics is necessary to ensure successful treatment.