Arthroscopic Lysis of Adhesions and Anterior Interval Release With Manipulation Under Anesthesia for Severe Post-traumatic Knee Stiffness: A Simple and Reproducible Step-by-Step Guide

Abstract

Post-traumatic knee stiffness can present after injuries around the knee and surgery. Management is guided by the type of initial injury, amount of range-of-motion loss, time since injury, and cartilage status. Cases refractory to conservative management may conventionally be treated with manipulation under anesthesia (MUA), arthroscopic lysis of adhesions, or open quadricepsplasty. We describe our arthroscopic technique of lysis of adhesions with anterior interval release and intraoperative MUA, which has been shown to provide sustainable range-of-motion improvement in a subset of patients with severe knee arthrofibrosis. Although technically demanding, this technique benefits from being minimally invasive, allows for direct visualization of intra-articular structures, and allows all-round arthroscopic release of adhesions to improve patellar mobility and decrease the risk of fracture prior to MUA. A rigorous postoperative formal physical therapy protocol and patient compliance are imperative to achieve good outcomes.