Document Detail


Arthroscopic release for symptomatic scarring of the anterior interval of the knee.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18753680     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Patients with a history of knee trauma or previous surgery may exhibit pain in the infrapatellar region that is refractory to conservative care. This may be due to subtle scarring of the anterior interval. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic release of a scarred anterior interval will lead to improvement in anterior knee pain. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients with isolated scarring of the anterior interval, confirmed with both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopic examination, were included. All 25 patients had refractory anterior knee pain that was unimproved after a minimum of 6 months of physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and pain during knee extension. All patients had a minimum of 2 previous surgical procedures, and 11 (44%) of the patients had a previous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. All 25 (100%) patients had an apparent decrease in the cranial excursion of the patella and had a positive Hoffa test result. Fourteen (56%) patients had a preoperative flexion contracture of at least 5 degrees . All patients underwent an isolated arthroscopic anterior interval release. RESULTS: All patients were evaluated by physical examination and standardized scoring instruments with an average follow-up of 4.0 years (range, 2.0-7.2). Twenty-one patients had full range of motion of the patella in all directions and a negative Hoffa test finding at final follow-up. All 14 (100%) patients with preoperative flexion contractures (>5 degrees ) experienced a full return of extension. The average Lysholm score improved from 59 preoperatively to 81 postoperatively (P < .0001). The average International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score improved from 49 to 70 (P < .001). There were no complications. Four patients (16%) had failed results and required a second surgical release. Patients with failures had significantly lower preoperative Lysholm scores (score = 40) than those who did not (score = 58) (P = .022). Three of the failures were workers' compensation cases. CONCLUSION: Scarring of the anterior interval changes the mechanics of the anterior structures of the knee and may lead to refractory anterior knee pain. Arthroscopic anterior interval release successfully provides pain relief in this patient population.
Authors:
J Richard Steadman; Jason L Dragoo; Sophie L Hines; Karen K Briggs
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The American journal of sports medicine     Volume:  36     ISSN:  1552-3365     ISO Abbreviation:  Am J Sports Med     Publication Date:  2008 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-08-28     Completed Date:  2008-10-23     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7609541     Medline TA:  Am J Sports Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1763-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Steadman Hawkins Research Foundation, Clinical Research, 181 West Meadow Drive, Suite 1000, Vail, CO 81657, USA. karen.briggs@shsmf.org
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Arthroscopy*
Cicatrix / complications,  surgery*
Female
Humans
Knee Injuries / complications,  surgery*
Male
Middle Aged
Pain, Intractable / etiology,  surgery*
Recovery of Function

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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