Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Knee Arthrofibrosis Treated with Arthroscopic Arthrolysis

Authors

  • Carlos A. Rodriguez Mora Ortopedia y traumatología, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Antioquía, Colombia
  • Alejandro Mejia Bustamante Ortopedia y traumatología, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Antioquía, Colombia
  • Fernando Coutin Moreno Ortopedia y traumatología, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Antioquía, Colombia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1466-7080
  • Sebastián Calle Díaz Ortopedia y traumatología, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Antioquía, Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0204-4843
  • Felipe García Jaramillo Ortopedia y traumatología, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Antioquía, Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4264-2672
  • Luz M. Jiménez Muñoz Anestesiología, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Antioquía, Colombia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6954-1416
  • Juliana Ocampo Arboleda Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Antioquía, Colombia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1630-6812
  • Jorge H. Donado Departamento de Investigación, Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe. Antioquía, Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8581-2267

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63403/re.v32i3.410

Keywords:

Arthrofibrosis, Knee, Release, Arthrolysis, Arthroscopic

Abstract

Introduction: Arthrofibrosis is a pathological stiffness of the joint resulting from an exaggerated inflammatory response. It occurs as a complication following trauma or surgical procedures in the knee and leads to significant functional limitation.

Objectives: to describe the improvement in mobility after arthroscopic release in patients diagnosed with knee arthrofibrosis.

Materials and Methods: An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted. Twenty-eight adult patients diagnosed with knee arthrofibrosis who underwent arthroscopic release of adhesions between 2022 and 2024 were included. Data were collected on the range of motion (ROM) preoperatively and at 2, 6, and 16 weeks postoperatively, as well as on pain progression using the visual analog scale (VAS).

Results: Twenty-eight patients with a diagnosis of knee arthrofibrosis were included. The mean age was 33 years (SD 5.41); 11 were men (39%) and 17 were women (61%). Arthroscopic adhesiolysis was performed in all patients diagnosed with knee arthrofibrosis. The mean preoperative ROM was 71.78° (range: 20°–135°), and at the final follow-up it was 120° (range: 70°–135°), p = 0.0003.

Conclusion: In this series, treatment of patients with postoperative knee arthrofibrosis through arthroscopic arthrolysis showed a satisfactory rate of recovery in range of motion.

Level of evidence: IV. Retrospective Cohort Study

Author Biographies

Carlos A. Rodriguez Mora, Ortopedia y traumatología, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Antioquía, Colombia

 

 

Alejandro Mejia Bustamante, Ortopedia y traumatología, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Antioquía, Colombia

 

 

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Published

2025-12-01

How to Cite

1.
Rodriguez Mora CA, Mejia Bustamante A, Coutin Moreno F, Calle Díaz S, García Jaramillo F, Jiménez Muñoz LM, et al. Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Knee Arthrofibrosis Treated with Arthroscopic Arthrolysis. RELART [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1 [cited 2026 Jan. 16];32(3):213-9. Available from: https://revistarelart.com/index.php/revista/article/view/410

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