Arthroscopic Complete Posterior Capsulotomy for Knee Flexion Contracture

Complete Arthroscopic Posterior Knee Capsulotomy in Patients With Knee Extension Deficit: Preliminary Results of a Clinical Trial

Background

Guided physiotherapy and surgical arthrolysis are effective in most patients with knee extension deficit. However, in refractory cases, posterior knee capsulotomy may be needed.

Purpose

To assess extension restoration, pain reduction, and functional improvement after arthroscopic complete posterior knee capsulotomy in patients with extension deficit refractory to guided physiotherapy and surgical arthrolysis.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Included were patients with symptomatic asymmetric extension deficit >3° refractory to at least 6 months of guided physiotherapy and initial arthrolysis (15 patients with 12-month follow-up and 8 patients with 24-month follow-up). The mean duration of extension deficit was 24.6 months. An arthroscopic complete posterior knee capsulotomy was performed with transection of the posteromedial, posterolateral and central capsule, and the posterior septum. The primary outcome measure was knee extension, with hyperextension denoted as negative knee extension values. Secondary outcome measures included visual analog scale (VAS) for pain during maximum effort and exercise, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).

Results

The mean patient age was 40.0 years (range, 26-70 years); 6 out of 15 patients had developed knee contracture after isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The mean knee extension deficit decreased from 16.9° (range, 7° to 45°) preoperatively to -0.2° (range, -5° to 5°) at 12-month follow-up (P = .003) and to -0.3° (range, -5° to 5°) at 24-month follow-up (P = .035). The mean VAS pain score decreased from 3.5 (range, 1-6) preoperatively to 1.1 (range, 0-2) at 12-month follow-up (P = .004) and to 1.5 (range, 0-4) at 24-month follow-up (P = .005). The mean IKDC increased from 37.9 (range, 21-62) preoperatively to 63.9 (range, 46-87) at 12-month follow-up (P < .001) and to 60.9 (range, 39-80) at 24-month follow-up (P = .003). The mean KOOS increased from 45.0 (range, 30-62) preoperatively to 75.3 (range, 49-94) at 12-month follow-up (P < .001) and to 72.3 (range, 49-92) at 24-month follow-up (P = .003). There were no significant differences between 12- and 24-month follow-up in extension deficit or functional outcomes. One patient had a midcalf subcutaneous hematoma 5 weeks postoperatively, requiring evacuation.

Conclusion

Arthroscopic complete posterior knee capsulotomy was able to restore knee extension, reduce pain, and improve function, with 12-month follow-up results sustained at 24-month follow-up.

Registration

NCT05385393 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Stretching, Bracing, and Devices for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis-Associated Joint Contractures in Nonoperated Joints: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

CONTEXT

Many patients with osteoarthritis (OA) develop range of motion (ROM) restrictions in their affected joints (contractures), associated with worse outcomes and rising healthcare costs. Effective treatment guidance for lost ROM in OA-affected joints is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of stretching and/or bracing protocols on native (nonoperated) joint ROM in the setting of radiographically diagnosed OA.

DATA SOURCES

Seven databases, English-language.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies including participants with radiographically diagnosed OA in any native joint evaluating the effect of stretching or bracing on ROM.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 2.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers independently screened articles for inclusion and assessed risk of bias in included trials. Primary outcomes were ROM, pain, and adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

We identified 6284 articles. A total of 9 randomized controlled trials, all evaluating the knee, met eligibility criteria. For stretching, 3 pooled studies reported total ROM, which improved by mean difference (MD) of 9.3° (95% CI 5.0°,13.5°) versus controls. Two pooled studies showed improved knee flexion ROM (MD 10.8° [7.3°,14.2°]) versus controls. Five studies were pooled for knee extension with mean improvement 9.1° [3.4°,14.8°] versus controls. Seven pooled studies showed reduced pain (standardized MD 1.9 [1.2,2.6]). One study reported improved knee extension of 3.7° [2.9°,4.5°] with use of a device. No studies used orthoses. One study reported on AEs, with none noted. Performance bias was present in all included studies, and only 3 studies clearly reported blinding of outcome assessors. Strength of evidence for primary outcomes was considered moderate.

CONCLUSION

There was moderate-quality evidence that stretching is an effective strategy for improving knee total, flexion and extension ROM, and pain. Our findings suggest that stretching to regain joint ROM in OA is not futile and that stretching appears to be an appropriate conservative intervention to improve patient outcomes as part of a comprehensive knee OA treatment plan before arthroplasty.

Knee Extension Lag Treated with Posterior Capsulotomy of the Knee: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction

The posterior capsule of the knee plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the knee joint. Pathologies involving the posterior capsule have been implicated in developing flexion contractures. Posterior capsulotomy is a well-studied modality for this issue, performed through either an open or arthroscopic approach.

Case Report

A 74-year-old Caucasian male presented with a complex extensor lag of his right knee and an inability to gain full extension either actively or passively. Through the use of standard knee arthroscopy, the authors were able to not only correct his posterior capsular pathology but also address anterior knee lesions. Only the combination of both allowed a full extension of the joint.

Conclusion

Posterior capsulotomy of the knee may be carried out successfully and safely through either an open or arthroscopic approach. Arthroscopic capsulotomy is proposed as a safer, minimally invasive option that has been gaining recent favor compared to open approaches.

Arthroscopic Posterior Capsular Release Effectively Reduces Pain and Restores Terminal Knee Extension in Cases of Recalcitrant Flexion Contracture

Purpose

To 1) evaluate the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic posterior capsular release for improving range of motion (ROM) in cases of recalcitrant flexion contracture and 2) determine patient-reported outcomes (PROs) postoperatively.

Methods

Retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who underwent arthroscopic posterior capsular release due to persistent extension deficit of the knee despite comprehensive nonoperative physical therapy between 2008 and 2021. Knee ROM and PROs (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Tegner, and visual analog scale [VAS]) were collected at final follow-up.

Results

Overall, 22 patients were included with a median age of 37 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 20.5-44.3). Of these, 8 (36%) were male and 14 (64%) were female, and average follow-up was 3.7 ± 3.3 years. The most common etiology was knee flexion contracture after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (59%). All patients failed a minimum of 3 months of nonoperative management. Prior to operative intervention, 100% of patients received physical therapy, 64% received extension knee bracing or casting, and 36% received corticosteroid injection. Median preoperative extension was 15° (IQR: 10-25) compared to 2° (IQR: 0-5) postoperatively (P < .001). At final follow-up, median extension was 0° (IQR: 0-3.5). Postoperative VAS pain scores at rest (2 vs 0; P = .001) and with use (5 vs 1.8; P = .017) improved at final contact, and most (94%) patients reported maintaining their extension ROM. Patients with ACL-related extension deficit reported better IKDC (81 vs 51.3; P = .008), Tegner (5.8 vs 3.6; P = .007), and VAS pain scores (rest: 0.2 vs 1.8; P = .008; use: 1.3 vs 5; P = .004) compared to other etiologies.

Conclusion

Arthroscopic posterior capsular release for recalcitrant flexion contracture provides an effective means for reducing pain and restoring terminal extension. The improvement in extension postoperatively was maintained for most (94%) patients at final follow-up with a 14% reoperation rate.

Ultrasound-Assisted Posterior Knee Arthroscopy: A Description of the Technique

Entering the posterior knee with arthroscopy can be difficult. Scar tissue, a tumor, and the obese patient can make instrument placement difficult and risk iatrogenic injury. Ultrasound can be used to visualize the posterior knee and provide direct guidance of instrumentation. We describe the technique and indications for using ultrasound during arthroscopy. Accurate and atraumatic insertion of instruments can be performed with no damage to total knee components or the knee joint. Ultrasound guidance should be considered during difficult posterior knee arthroscopy.

Arthroscopic Posterior Capsulotomy for Knee Flexion Contracture Using a Spinal Needle

Knee flexion contractures can arise from posterior capsule arthrofibrosis secondary to trauma, surgery, or chronic degenerative disease. This leads to limited knee extension and increased mechanical stress on the contralateral joint. Depending on the severity of the contracture, a treatment option may include surgical release of the posterior capsule. Arthroscopic posterior capsular release has been reported previously to have excellent resolution of extension deficits with minimal risk of postoperative complications. These techniques typically use an array of instruments, including shavers, biters, or scissors to perform arthrolysis of the posteromedial and posterolateral capsules. Our primary objective is to present a modified arthroscopic surgical technique for percutaneous treatment of knee flexion contracture using a spinal needle to perform a posterior capsule release.

Arthroscopic Posterior Capsular Release for Loss of Knee Extension

Arthrofibrosis, as a result of osteoarthritis, after trauma, or after knee surgery, can have significant implications for patient function, satisfaction, and outcomes. When extensive conservative management fails to achieve satisfactory results, surgical intervention may be necessary. Arthroscopic techniques to release anterior adhesions are often viewed as easier and safer than posterior releases required for flexion contractures. We present our technique of a safe, effective, and reproducible arthroscopic complete posterior capsulotomy.

Association between stages of medial compartment osteoarthritis and three-dimensional knee alignment in the supine position: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee causes changes in knee alignment. A detailed knowledge of knee alignment is needed for correct assessment of the extent of disease progression, determination of treatment strategy, and confirmation of treatment effectiveness. However, deterioration of knee alignment during progression of OA has not been adequately characterized. The aims of this study were to clarify the changes in three-dimensional static knee alignment as knee OA stage progressed and to lay a foundation for an optimal treatment strategy to prevent knee malalignment.

METHODS

A total of 106 knees of 81 patients ((men/women) 45/36; mean age 48.4 ± 19.9 years; body mass index (BMI) 25.7 ± 4.4 kg/m²) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, comprising 34 (33/1) in Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade 0, 17 (8/9) in KL grade 1, 26 (5/21) in KL grade 2, 19 (4/15) in KL grade 3, and 10 (1/9) in KL grade 4. In all cases, computed tomography images were obtained with the subject in a reclined and relaxed position with the knee straight. Three-dimensional bone models were created from the images and knee alignment was calculated with six degrees-of-freedom. Then, 40 knees were selected consisting of 10 sex- and BMI-matched knees from each KL grade group: KL grade 1 (mean age 54.6 ± 8.4 years; BMI 23.3 ± 3.5 kg/m²), grade 2 (64.7 ± 10.9 years; 27.3 ± 3.2 kg/m²), grade 3 (69.2 ± 11.4 years; 27.1 ± 4.3 kg/m²), and grade 4 (71.9 ± 9.2 years; 27.2 ± 3.6 kg/m²). The Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was used to analyze static alignment (α < 0.05/6).

RESULTS

Alignment of the knee in flexion was -4.0 [95% confidence interval (CI): -6.4, -1.5] degrees, -3.4 [-8.0, 1.3] degrees, -0.1 [-3.7, 3.5] degrees, and 0.4 [-0.9, 1.6] degrees in the order of KL grade 1 to 4. There were significant differences between KL grade 1 and 4 (p = 0.0081). Anterior tibial translation was 6.6 [4.6, 8.6] mm, 5.8 [1.9, 9.7] mm, 1.0 [-2.5, 4.5] mm, and 1.3 [-2.4, 5.1] mm in the order of grade 1 to 4. There were significant differences between KL grade 1 and 4 (p = 0.0081). There were no significant differences in lateral tibial translation nor tibial rotation.

CONCLUSIONS

The severely osteoarthritic knee joint was flexed and the tibia was displaced posteriorly with respect to the femur. Preventing these changes in alignment would assist in the prevention and treatment of knee OA.