OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of chitosan in prevention of knee dysfunction due to adhesion after operation for patellar fracture. METHODS: From March to October 1999, 40 cases of patellar fracture were treated by internal fixation, with intra-articular injection of 2% chitosan in only 24 cases after fixation and with no chitosan injection in 16 cases (control group). The function of the knee joint, including extension and flexion, was evaluated 1 month and 1 year after operation respectively. RESULTS: One month after operation, the knees with chitosan injection could actively move in the average range of 104 degrees +/- 23 degrees, and the knees in the control group could move in the average range of 72 degrees +/- 16 degrees, which showed significant difference between two groups (P < 0.01); 1 year after operation, the range of movement of the knees with injection was 165 degrees +/- 38 degrees on average, and that of the knees in the control group was 110 degrees +/- 31 degrees, which also indicated significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Medical chitosan could effectively prevent or reduce the post-operative adhesion of knee joint after patellar operation.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of chitosan in prevention of knee dysfunction due to adhesion after operation for patellar fracture. METHODS: From March to October 1999, 40 cases of patellar fracture were treated by internal fixation, with intra-articular injection of 2% chitosan in only 24 cases after fixation and with no chitosan injection in 16 cases (control group). The function of the knee joint, including extension and flexion, was evaluated 1 month and 1 year after operation respectively. RESULTS: One month after operation, the knees with chitosan injection could actively move in the average range of 104 degrees +/- 23 degrees, and the knees in the control group could move in the average range of 72 degrees +/- 16 degrees, which showed significant difference between two groups (P < 0.01); 1 year after operation, the range of movement of the knees with injection was 165 degrees +/- 38 degrees on average, and that of the knees in the control group was 110 degrees +/- 31 degrees, which also indicated significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Medical chitosan could effectively prevent or reduce the post-operative adhesion of knee joint after patellar operation.