[Arthrography in extension stiffness of the knee joint]

In the present paper the authors point out in the importance of arthrography in the preoperative diagnosis of stiffness of the knee joint; their findings are based on a study of 29 cases. The majority of the roentgenograms show the knees of patients who subsequently underwent surgical arthrolysis. The technique and special features of the procedure are described. The evaluated contrast films may be classified in three groups, the first including joints with a residual mobility of up to 50 degrees, the second including those with between 50 and 90 degrees and the third those with more than 90 degrees. Typical for the first group is an obliteration of the upper recessus and an omega-shaped form in AP films. Films from Group 2 only show constrictions of the recessus suprapatellaris. In the third group only slight changes are found, which in some cases could only be assessed more accurately by comparison with the healthy side. In cases of knee-joint stiffness due to extra-articular causes there is no correlation between the arthrogram and the range of mobility. The authors conclude that X-rays of the interior of the joint using contrast medium can be a valuable help in planning surgical treatment for fibrotically stiffened knee joints.