Arthroscopic Arthrolysis of Knee: Timing, Technique and Results

To evaluate the functional outcomes of patients undergoing arthroscopic arthrolysis of the knee and find the ideal timing for arthrolysis to achieve maximum range of motion (ROM) of the knee.

All patients who underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis for post-operative joint stiffness following surgery for injuries around knee joint at a tertiary care centre from 2009 to 2023 were included in this study. The patients' details such as primary injury, time interval between the index surgery and arthrolysis, improvement in knee range of ROM and Lysholm score from prior to arthrolysis to last follow-up post arthrolysis were retrieved from hospital database and analysed.

Total of 42 patients who underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis of knee from 2009 to 2023 were included in this study. Follow-up range was 6 months to 6 years. ROM after arthrolysis significantly improved in the early and delayed arthrolysis groups as compared to late arthrolysis groups (mean 126.25 and 115.62 vs 106.3, p < 0.05). Patients treated with early arthroscopic arthrolysis (within 3 months) showed significant increase in post operative Lysholm score compared to other groups (p < 0.05). ROM of 120° and beyond was achieved in 75% of cases in early arthrolysis group compared to 62.8% and 39% in delayed and late arthrolysis group (p < 0.05).

Arthroscopic arthrolysis done within 6 months (with maximum effect when done within 3 months) after the primary surgery leads to significant improvement in ROM and functional scores as compared to those with late arthrolysis group.