Arthroscopic lysis of adhesions for the stiff total knee arthroplasty.

The management of the stiff knee after total knee arthroplasty is controversial. Manipulation under anesthesia and open lysis of adhesions are techniques that can theoretically address the fibrous scar tissue, but their efficacy has been shown to be variable. We describe the technique of arthroscopic lysis of adhesions for the stiff knee after total knee arthroplasty. The advantages of this technique include minimally invasive debridement of scar tissue within defined compartments of the knee and evaluation for the presence and treatment of focal lesions (e.g., loose bodies or impinging synovial or soft tissue). The total arc of motion can be improved with a systematic arthroscopic approach.