journal review

Davies H, Unwin A and Aichroth, P. The posterolateral corner of the knee. Anatomy, biomechanics and management of injuries. Injury. 2004;35:68-75.

This is the editor's interpretation of the above article.

The medical literature is largely accessible to patients. The language is hard to read, the articles are stored in libraries and it is also hard for readers to put the information into the context of the time in which is was published. We try to overcome these issues by interpreting some of the literature for our readers and also trying to put it into context. Key articles on exercise for arthritis, in date order of publication, that we have reviewed/interpreted for you include -

The medical literature is largely inaccessible to patients. The language is hard to read, the articles are stored in libraries and it is also hard for readers to put the information into the context of the time in which is was published. We try to overcome these issues by interpreting some of the literature for our readers and also trying to put it into context. Key posterolateral corner articles, in date order of publication, that we have reviewed/interpreted for you include -

Skutek M, Elsner H-A, Slateva K, Mayr H-O and Weig T-G, van Griensven M, Krettek C and Bosch U. Screening for arthrofibrosis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: analysis of association with human leukocyte antigen. Arthroscopy. 2004;5:469-473.

This paper is interesting but inconclusive and probably can be considered as a pilot study. The authors were interested in trying to determine whether some people have a genetic susceptibility to the exaggerated scarring which is characteristic of arthrofibrosis.

Millett PJ, Johnson B, Carlson J, Krishan S and Steadman JR. Rehabilitation of the arthrofibrotic knee. Am J Orth. 2003;11:531-538.

This is a review article discussing the significance of prevention and early recognition of arthrofibrosis. The authors note that arthrofibrosis of the knee can be localised or global, and can restrict flexion or extension of the knee or movement of the patellofemoral joint.

Millett PJ, Wickiewicz TL and Warren RF. Motion loss after ligament injuries to the knee. Part I: Causes. Am J Sports Med. 2001;29:664-675.

This paper, published in 2001, reviews the concepts at that time on terminology, incidence and risk factors for motion loss of the knee after ligament injury or surgery. The authors then outline the published opinions regarding diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Terminology

The authors feel that people need to use precise terminology when describing motion loss, and recommend that -

Hassan SS., Saleem A., Bach BR., Bush-Joseph CA and Bojchuk J. Results of Arthroscopic Treatment of Symptomatic Loss of Extension Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Am J Knee Surgery. 2000;37:201-210.

This study concerns 342 patients all having the same procedure (anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using patellar tendon), and all procedures were performed by the same surgeon.

Noyes FR, Berrios-Torres S, Barber-Westin SD, and Heckmann TP. Prevention of permanent arthrofibrosis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction alone or combined with associated procedures: a prospective study in 443 knees. Knee Surg, Sports Traumatol, Arthros 8:196-206;2000.

This paper reports the research results of a group of researchers from the Cincinatti Sportsmedicine and Orthopaedic Center. The research relates to a consecutive group of patients (443 knees) with cruciate ligament reconstruction - alone or combined with associated procedures (about 50:50).

Millett PJ, Williams RJ, and Wickiewicz TL. Joint debridement and soft tissue release as a salvage procedure for the severely arthrofibrotic knee.

Lindenfeld TN, Wojtys EM, Husain A. Operative treatment of arthrofibrosis of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg 81-A:1772-1784;1999.

This paper reviews the literature prior to 1999. It is a very well written, clear paper.