[Arthrofibrosis after replacement-plasty of the anterior cruciate ligament--incidence, causes, therapy]

The objective of the study was to assess prospectively the percentage of patients with restricted range of motion (arthrofibrosis) after ACL-plasty and to assess the clinical benefit of arthroscopic surgery. We had arthrofibrosis in 9 out of 74 cases (12%). In 8 cases there was a combined lag of flexion and extension and in one case there was only a lag of extension. In all patients range of motion could be improved by arthroscopic surgery. There was a significant raise in extension (13.3 degrees) and in flexion (28.7 degrees). In the arthrofibrosis-group more patients had undergone surgery for acute ACL-rupture (66%) than in the group without arthrofibrosis (32%).