Does total knee arthroplasty (TKA) correct the flexion contracture in knee stiffness associated with osteoarthritis, inflammatory disease, hemophilia or post-traumatic sequelae? The results of 107 TKAs from five specialized centers were retrospectively reviewed. Only knees with greater than or equal to 20° flexion contracture on extension were included, 46 of which also had less than 90° flexion. As a result of the arthroplasty, extension increased by 20±6° in group 1 (flexion contracture only, n=61), and by 22±11° in group 2 (combined stiffness, n=46), in which the total range of motion increased of 39±21°. Overall, mean residual flexion contracture was 7±7°. Improvements in mobility were greater in the cases with severe preoperative stiffness. One-year functional results correlated with final residual flexion contracture. Mobility at last follow-up did not depend on preoperative mobility, except in group 2, in which the final postoperative range of motion (ROM) correlated with preoperative ROM. Hemophilia was a factor of poor prognosis. Recovering full extension at end of surgery is mandatory, by first releasing the posterior capsule and the collateral ligaments from their osteophytes, and secondly by extending the distal femoral cut where necessary.

Type of study: Level 4 retrospective.