The use of a modified V-Y quadricepsplasty during total knee replacement to gain exposure and improve flexion in the ankylosed knee.

A modified V-Y quadricepsplasty technique is described that facilitates exposure for prosthetic replacement in the knee with limited preoperative motion. The technique allows increased postoperative flexion without increasing the final postoperative extension lag. Seven patients have undergone knee arthroplasty using this method. The average increase in flexion was 49 degrees. The average ultimate extension lag was 8 degrees.