Total knee arthroplasty remains the definitive treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. Despite being a very successful intervention in terms of relieving pain and returning a patient’s function, it is not without complications. Post-operative stiffness after total knee arthroplasty is one of those complications that can be puzzling for physicians and debilitating for patients. While the etiology of stiffness is multifactorial, the treatment options are essentially limited to manipulation under anesthesia, removal of adhesions and revision total knee arthroplasty. With patient outcomes directly related to relief of pain and post-operative range of motion, it is paramount that surgeons do all that is necessary to minimize risk of post-operative stiffness.
Part of the book: Knee Surgery