The 'anterior interval' is the region of the knee between the fat pad and the front of the tibia bone (anterior tibial plateau) and the patellar tendon.
Page updated July 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
Normally this area is lubricated with joint fluid, and facilitates movement of the joint as the tissues slide over one another.
The anterior interval and arthrofibrosis
The anterior interval is one of those areas of the knee that can become locked up with adhesions after an episode of inflammation, resulting in a stiff knee.
Early in the process, the adhesions may be broken up with patellar and patellar tendon mobilisation exercises, but when advanced it may only be possible to free the adhesions surgically.
In this case the surgeon may undertake an 'anterior interval' release, to free the adhesions.
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Quote from peer-reviewed paper:
"....Patients with anterior interval scarring often present with lack of terminal knee extension, anterior knee pain, decreased patellar mobility, and quadriceps atrophy...."
Citation: Rose M, McNeilan R, Genuario J, Schlegel T. Surgical Technique for Release of Anterior Interval Scarring of the Knee After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Arthrosc Tech. 2018 Aug 6;7(9):e887-e891. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2018.04.016. PMID: 30258768; PMCID: PMC6153305.
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