Results of arthroscopic adhesiolysis and manipulation in the stiff knee secondary to septic arthritis and inflammatory arthritis.

摘要

The term stiff joint refers to the loss of the range of motion. It may occur as consequence of fibrous adhesion by hemar-throsis or exudates, which may impair considerably the joint function and quality of life. The literature addressing the benefit of arthroscopic adhesiolysis in arthrofibrosis due to septic arthritis or adhesions secondary to inflammatory arthritis is scarce 1,2.Although, most of the publications about arthrofibrosis are relative to trauma or surgical procedures, several medical conditions has been recognized 3-6.To explore the benefits of minimal invasive surgery in a series of patients who failed conservative treatment for stiff knee secondary to inflammatory or septic arthritis, we reviewed data on patients with arthritis and secondary arthrofibrosis of the knee joint, who underwent arthroscopic adhesiolysis and manipulation at our arthroscopy unit from 1991 to 2006. Of the 2,374 knee arthroscopies performed by a rheumatologist, 31 were arthroscopic adhesiolysis secondary to arthritis.