Manipulation under Anaesthesia for Patient Reported Stiffness after Total Knee Arthroplasty in an Asian Population

Lumbar Spine Sagittal Mismatch Deformity Negatively Affects Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes

There is currently a paucity of data regarding the potential relationships between preexisting spinal deformity and clinical outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We sought to expand upon this deficit. We hypothesize that lumbar sagittal mismatch deformity (MD) will correlate with a decrease in functional outcomes after TKA. This retrospective cohort comparison of 933 TKAs was performed between January 2017 and 2020. TKAs were excluded if they were not performed for primary osteoarthritis (OA) or if preoperative lumbar radiographs were unavailable/inadequate to measure sagittal parameters of interest: pelvic incidence, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and deformity mismatch. Ninety-four TKAs were subsequently available for inclusion and divided into two groups: those with MD as defined by |PI-LL| > 10 degrees and those without MD. The following clinical outcomes were compared between the groups: total postoperative arc of motion (AOM), incidence of flexion contracture, and need for manipulation under anesthesia (MUA). In total, 53 TKAs met the MD criteria, while 41 did not have MD. There were no significant differences in demographics, body mass index, preoperative knee range of motion (ROM), preoperative AOM, or opiate use between the groups. TKAs with MD were more likely to have MUA (p = 0.026), ROM <0 to 120 (p < 0.001), a decreased AOM by 16 degrees (p < 0.001), and a flexion contracture postoperatively (p = 0.01). Preexisting MD may adversely affect clinical results following TKA. Statistically and clinically significant decreases in postoperative ROM/AOM, increased likelihood of flexion contracture, and increased need for MUA were all noted in those with MD. This is a Level 3 study.

Treatment of arthrofibrosis and stiffness after total knee arthroplasty: an updated review of the literature

PURPOSE

There is currently no consensus regarding the optimal treatment for stiffness following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). With the increased utilization of value-based models, it is important to determine the most effective treatments that will reduce the need for further intervention and additional expenditure. A systematic review was performed to compare the outcomes of manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA), arthroscopic lysis of adhesions (aLOA), and revision TKA (rTKA) for arthrofibrosis and stiffness following TKA.

METHODS

PubMed and MEDLINE databases were reviewed for articles published through October 2020. Studies were included if they reported patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following MUA, aLOA, or rTKA. The primary endpoint was PROMs, while secondary outcomes included range of motion and the percentage of patients who pursued further treatment for stiffness.

RESULTS

A total of 40 studies were included: 21 on rTKA, 7 on aLOA, and 14 on MUA. The mean or median post-operative arc ROM was > 90° in 6/20 (30%) rTKA, 5/7 (71%) aLOA, and 7/10 (70%) MUA studies. Post-operative Knee Society (KSS) clinical and functional scores were the greatest in patients who underwent MUA and aLOA. As many as 43% of rTKA patients required further care compared to 25% of aLOA and 17% of MUA patients.

CONCLUSION

Stiffness following TKA remains a challenging condition to treat. Nonetheless, current evidence suggests that patients who undergo rTKA have poorer clinical outcomes and a greater need for further treatment compared to patients who undergo MUA or aLOA.

Preoperative Flexion Contracture Does Not Compromise the Outcomes and Survivorship of Medial Fixed Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Despite the expanding indications for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), the classic indication that limits flexion contracture to <5° in fixed bearing UKA excludes most patients with arthritic knees and has not been challenged in modern literature. This study compared the clinical outcomes between patients with severe flexion contracture and controls undergoing UKA.

METHODS

Eighty seven medial fixed bearing UKAs performed in patients with severe (≥15°) flexion contracture were matched 1:1 with 87 controls without flexion or recurvatum deformity (-5°<extension<5°) using propensity scores to control for age, sex, BMI, Charlson comorbidity index, ASA class, and baseline patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Perioperative outcomes were recorded. Range of motion, Knee Society Score, Oxford Knee Score, SF-36, and patient satisfaction were assessed at 6 months and 2 years. Survivorship was recorded at mean 11.5 ± 3.2 years.

RESULTS

Preoperative knee extension in the control and contracture groups was 0.9° ± 1.9° and 18.0° ± 3.5° (P < .001), respectively, whereas flexion was 122.8° ± 27.9° and 120.6° ± 13.6° (P = .502). The contracture group had poorer Knee Society functional (P = .023) and SF-36 physical score (P = .010) at 6 months. However, there was no difference in PROMs at 2 years. A similar proportion achieved the minimal clinically important difference for each PROM and was satisfied with surgery. Range of motion remained poorer in the contracture group and a higher percentage had residual contractures (P < .001). Ten-year survivorship was 94% and 97% in the control and contracture groups, respectively (P = .145).

CONCLUSION

Although patients with severe flexion contractures had a poorer range of motion and postoperatively, these patients attained comparable PROMs, satisfaction rates, and mid-term survivorship after UKA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, therapeutic study.