OCAD MSK

History

49-year-old man with limitation and painful flexo-extension after partial medial meniscectomy

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Discussion

Arthrofibrosis of the knee is a condition whereby knee motion is limited due to scar tissue, contractures after injury or surgery. It consists of excessive scar tissue formation within the joint capsule, resulting in pain, stiffness, and limitation of motion. There is a higher prevalence of generalized knee arthrofibrosis among patients undergoing ACL reconstruction within 4 weeks of experiencing trauma than in those who undergo reconstruction more than 4 weeks after trauma, especially when less than 90° of knee flexion is obtained preoperatively. Therefore, postoperative pain and irritation should be minimized with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and cryotherapy.
At MR imaging, generalized arthrofibrosis is seen extending into the infrapatellar fat pad, suprapatellar recess and the posterior joint capsule. Thickening of the sinovial plicas and intraarticular fibrous bands are also common findings.
The treatment for knee arthrofibrosis includes physical therapy, and arthroscopic surgery. Reference article.

Diagnosis

art

Luis Cerezal, MD PhD
Courtesy
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