抄録
Stiffened knee is sometimes a serious complication resulting from operation or trauma of the knee joint. This usually results from intra-articular adhesion, contracture of the capsule, shortening or adhesion of the quadriceps mechanism.
Until very recently this condition has been treated using the conventional open or closed method. However, once stiffness in the knee has settled in, it is very difficult to regain normal motion by use of all conservative methods. Therefore we have conducted research using arthroscopy as an alternative treatment method.
Eight patients were treated by percutaneus release of adhesion and widening of the capsular space under arthroscopic visualization. The cause of the stiffness of these patients was the following: fracture of the femoral shaft in 1, fracture of the proximal end of the tibia in 2, fracture of patellae in 3, and meniscus and ligament injury in 2. The range of motion (R. O. M.) increased in all patients: the mean R. O. M. before operation was 87°, and after 129°. Because this method causes less trauma and requires a shorter post-operative recovery period than the open method, it is considered a good choice of treatment for stiffened knee joint.
