title: Outcome of surgical treatment of arthrofibrosis following ligament reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Clinical outcome following surgical treatment and intensive physiotherapy was evaluated in patients with arthrofibrosis as a complication to varying knee-ligament reconstructions.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2003 to 2007, 31 patients underwent surgery for arthrofibrosis as a postoperative complication following knee-ligament reconstruction. Treatment for reduced range of motion consisted of forced manipulation or arthroscopic arthrolysis followed by intensive physiotherapy. Twenty-seven patients (12 men and 15 women; median age 35(12-70) years) were followed up. Objective examination, Pain, KOOS and Tegner scores were used to evaluate the clinical outcome at follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients were treated with forced manipulation alone, and the remaining thirteen were treated with forced manipulation and arthroscopic arthrolysis. The patients' median follow-up was 51 months (19-73 months). Median interval between primary surgery and surgical release was 4 (1-32) months. Median range of motion (ROM) improved from -0°(0 to 20) to 0°(+2-9) in extension deficit and from 90°(40-145) to 130°(90-155) in flexion. Mean KOOS score were symptoms 63, pain 72, ADL 77, sport 42, QOL 45. Median Tegner score was 4 (2-9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical arthrolysis combined with intensive physiotherapy improved range of motion to nearly normal values. Subjective outcome scores revealed relatively poor outcome levels compared to uncomplicated knee-ligament reconstruction. Predictors of poor outcome were global arthrofibrosis and greater than 6-month time interval from primary reconstruction and surgical release.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective clinical case series, Level IV.
authors: Division Sportstrauma, Århus University Hospital, Tage Hansens Gade 2, 8000, Århus C, Denmark. Sinan_71@hotmail.com
authors: Sinan
authors: S
authors: Said
authors: Svend Erik
authors: SE
authors: Christainsen
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Faunoe
authors: Bent
authors: B
authors: Lund
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Lind
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult