Efficacy of Arthroscopic Arthrolysis in the Treatment of Arthrofibrosis: A Systematic Review.

Stiffness after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a clinical challenge for health care professionals. Historically, arthroscopic arthrolysis is a treatment modality that has been reserved for patients that have failed other conservative modalities, including manipulation under anesthesia. However, a systematic review of the literature evaluating the clinical efficacy and complications of arthroscopic arthrolysis for stiffness after TKA has not been performed. A systematic review of medical databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) was undertaken for articles published from January 1980 to October 2018. A descriptive and critical analysis of the results was performed. From 1,326 studies, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria for this study. A total of 160 patients who underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis for arthrofibrosis following TKA were included for analysis. The quality of the evidence for the included studies ranged between moderate and high. Overall, patients had significant increased range of motion and flexion by 32.5 and 26.7 degrees, respectively following arthroscopic arthrolysis. Functional outcome scores also significantly improved for patients who underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis after TKA. Arthroscopic arthrolysis is an efficacious modality for treatment of stiffness following TKA. The greatest benefit is seen among patients that present with significant loss of flexion. Arthroscopic arthrolysis should be reserved for patients that have previously failed more conservative modalities.