Arthroscopic treatment of postoperative knee fibroarthrosis

Twenty-four patients with severely limited knee motion following open knee surgery were treated by percutaneous release of adhesions under arthroscopic control. The mean interval between the last open surgical procedure and our treatment was 2.75 years (range, 3 months-27 years). The mean follow-up interval was eight months (range, 1 month-4 1/2 years). The mean passive flexion was increased from 70 degrees preoperation to 115 degrees at final evaluation after all arthroscopic procedures, a 45 degrees mean increase in flexion. Morbidity was low, complications were infrequent and mild, and the duration of hospitalization was brief.