MUA is an abbreviation of 'Manipulation under anaesthesia'.

Page updated February 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

 

What are the indications for an MUA?

An MUA (manipulation under anaesthesia) may be indicated when temporary stiffness is complicating recovery after knee injury or surgery. It is not relevant in long-standing stiffness of the knee, and may in these cases cause new damage.

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What happens during an MUA?

An MUA allows the surgeon an opportunity to break adhesions in a joint that has recently been injured or operated on, and where stiffness has become a problem due to sticky adhesions locking up the tissue folds inside the joint. The patient is given a general anaesthetic, possibly with some muscle relaxation, and the surgeon gently rocks the joint through flexion, extension and rotation, trying with each effort to gain a few more degrees of range of motion. The anaesthetic is to ensure complete relaxation without pain interfering with the process.

After the procedure physiotherapy is re-instituted and continuous passive motion (CPM)

  • Quote from peer-reviewed paper:

    Under adequate muscle relaxation....[the hip is flexed]....to 90°. With the leg held close to the knee joint (to decrease the lever arm), steady progressive loading was applied till palpable and audible break of adhesions were heard....no further pressure was applied."

    Citation: Mohammed R, Syed S, Ahmed N. Manipulation under anaesthesia for stiffness following knee arthroplasty. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2009 Apr;91(3):220-3. doi: 10.1308/003588409X359321. Epub 2008 Dec 19. PMID: 19102828; PMCID: PMC2765009.

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How effective is MUA?

There are a lot of variables when making the decision to perform an MUA, such as timing from the injury or surgery, age, sex, smoking, diabletes, experience of the surgeon - and different countries and establishments will follow different practices.

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Forum discussions

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Synonyms: 
manipulation under anaesthesia
manipulation under anesthesia
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Dr Sheila Strover (Editor)
BSc (Hons), MB BCh, MBA

See biography...