Soft tissue release for knee flexion contracture in juvenile chronic arthritis

Twenty-nine soft tissue releases for knee flexion contracture were performed in 23 children 2-15 years of age with juvenile chronic arthritis. The average duration of knee joint involvement was 4.6 years (range 1-11 years), and the mean age at operation was 8.6 years. Twenty-one of the 29 knee joints had a fixed flexion deformity exceeding 15 degrees preoperatively. Twenty-five knees were followed up for a mean period of 3.9 years (range 1-8 years), at which time only eight knees had a flexion deformity exceeding 15 degrees. There was a lasting effect of the release operations, and no significant complications were encountered. It is concluded that the procedure is worthwhile.