Stiff Knee After Ligament Reconstruction

Stiff knee is a difficult complication after surgery and ligament injury. There are many reasons which cause stiff knees and we should undestand them for the best treatment and prevention. Here we present cases of stiff knees after multiligament injury. They were indicated operations by ligament reconstruction or avulsion reattachment. After that, the stiff knees recurred although the patients also had 5 - 6 months of rehabilitation. Via arthroscopy, we found a scar tissue in the suprapatellar compartment, a fiber around the patella, an adhension femur - tibia at the notch, a scar tissue at the notch, and a cyclops lesion. We used the shaver and cautery to cut the fibrous tissue and release the patella and ligaments at the notch. Then, manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) was indicated. After all, the patients had the combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia (CSE) for 5 days. It is a better way to reduce pain and let the patients exercise earlier.