OBJECTIVETo investigate therapeutic effects of mini-incision assisted by arthroscope for the treatment of ankylosis of knee.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to August 2009, 18 patients with ankylosis of knee were treated with mini-incision assisted by arthroscope. Among the patients, 15 patients were male and 3 patients were female, ranging in age from 27 to 56 years, with an average of 33.6 years. Before operation, 5 patients had comminuted fractures in the distal end of femur (including 1 patient with open fracture), 9 patients had comminuted fractures of tibial plateau, 2 patients had comminuted fractures of patella, 1 patient had comminuted fractures of patella combined with comminuted fracture of capitulum fibulae and injuries of complex structure at lateral knee, and 1 patient had floating knee. The duration between the primary operation and the arthrolysis ranged from 6 to 31 months (averaged, 10.6 months). The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to Judet criteria.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 3 to 25 months (averaged, 11.4 months). All the patients had incision healing at the first stage without infection, wound dehiscence and liquifaction necrosis. The preoperative knee flexed motion ranged from 30 degrees to 80 degrees, with a mean of (44.72 +/- 11.60) degrees; and postoperative knee flexed range of motion improved to an average of (109.17 +/- 10.31) degrees (ranged, 95 degrees to 135 degrees). According to Judet evaluation, 16 patients got an excellent result, 2 good.

CONCLUSIONTreatment of ankylosis of the knee through a mini-incision assisted by arthroscope has advantages such as reducing the complications of incision on knee, little trauma and early recovery, which is a good operative mode to treat ankylosis of the knee after operation or trauma.