[Arthrolysis in the treatment of post-traumatic extensor rigidity of the knee (author's transl)]

Extensor rigidity of the knee may be due to a wide variety of causes and is certainly quite often a sequela of an injury. Rigidity is caused by damage to tissue distant or proximal to the knee joint, in the joint itself, or simultaneously at several locations. In many cases considerable improvement can be achieved by arthrolysis. However, this requires detailed knowledge of the involved and expected pathologic changes. Besides detailed clinical and x-ray examination via arthrography it is particularly important to select and prepare the patients properly. Knee arthrolysis can never be based on only one surgical procedure. The authors differentiate between covered and open loosening of the stiffened joint besides intraarticular and extraarticular arthrolysis, and a combined intraarticular and extraarticular procedure. Postoperative followup treatment is at least just as important as the surgical procedure itself. Complications can be largely avoided via subtile technique and sufficient experience. The authors report on 16 followup examinations effected during the past four subsequent to arthrolyses of the knee. On the average there was an improvement in flexibility and stretch-ability by 70 degrees, or a relative flexibility increase by 80%. No serious complications were seen. Arthrolysis of the knee is recommended as a well-tried and highly successful surgical procedure.