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Arthroscopic Arthrolysis of Knee: Timing, Technique and Results

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Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the functional outcomes of patients undergoing arthroscopic arthrolysis of the knee and find the ideal timing for arthrolysis to achieve maximum range of motion (ROM) of the knee.

Methods

All patients who underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis for post-operative joint stiffness following surgery for injuries around knee joint at a tertiary care centre from 2009 to 2023 were included in this study. The patients’ details such as primary injury, time interval between the index surgery and arthrolysis, improvement in knee range of ROM and Lysholm score from prior to arthrolysis to last follow-up post arthrolysis were retrieved from hospital database and analysed.

Results

Total of 42 patients who underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis of knee from 2009 to 2023 were included in this study. Follow-up range was 6 months to 6 years. ROM after arthrolysis significantly improved in the early and delayed arthrolysis groups as compared to late arthrolysis groups (mean 126.25 and 115.62 vs 106.3, p < 0.05). Patients treated with early arthroscopic arthrolysis (within 3 months) showed significant increase in post operative Lysholm score compared to other groups (p < 0.05). ROM of 120° and beyond was achieved in 75% of cases in early arthrolysis group compared to 62.8% and 39% in delayed and late arthrolysis group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Arthroscopic arthrolysis done within 6 months (with maximum effect when done within 3 months) after the primary surgery leads to significant improvement in ROM and functional scores as compared to those with late arthrolysis group.

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Data availability

Data related to the study are available with the first author (Dr. Abin S. Sebastian).

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Acknowledgements

Thankful to Mr. Bibin Sebastian for guidance in statistics.

Funding

No support received in form of grants, equipment, drugs or any other forms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Joint Replacement and Sports Medicine, VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Ernakulam, India

    Abin S. Sebastian, Aravind Sai Sathikumar, Appu Benny Thomas & Jacob Varghese

Authors
  1. Abin S. Sebastian
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  2. Aravind Sai Sathikumar
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  3. Appu Benny Thomas
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  4. Jacob Varghese
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Contributions

Abin S. Sebastian: data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation. Aravind Sai Sathikumar: critical reviewer, manuscript preparation and image illustration. ABT: critical reviewer and manuscript preparation. JV: conception and design. This study was done at VPS Lakeshore Hospital and research centre, Kochi, Kerala, India. The manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors, the requirements for authorship as stated earlier in this document have been met, and each author believes that the manuscript represents honest work.

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Correspondence to Aravind Sai Sathikumar.

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Sebastian, A.S., Sathikumar, A.S., Thomas, A.B. et al. Arthroscopic Arthrolysis of Knee: Timing, Technique and Results. JOIO 58, 210–216 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-023-01081-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-023-01081-4

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