Management of the Stiff Total Knee Arthroplasty

The knee that is stiff following total knee arthroplasty presents a difficult problem to the surgeon. Prior to embarking on a treatment regimen that may include revision surgery, which is fraught with complications, one must be certain the benefits to the individual patient outweigh the risks. Knee motion from 10 to 95 degrees may be perfectly adequate for some and unacceptable for others. Similarly, the cause of limitation of knee motion and corrective treatment with acceptable risk must be identified. Revision surgery should be pursued only after these factors are considered.