Anterior interval arthrofibrosis is the condition of abnormal scarring in the 'anterior interval' - the space below the kneecap and behind the patellar tendon.
A normal anterior interval allows free movement of the fat pad, meniscus and patellar tendon.
Arthrofibrosis may 'gum' down mobile tissues, including the anterior interval, with adhesions, with consequent reduced range of motion of the knee.
Anterior interval release
To release the scar tissue the surgeon can enter the joint from the suprapatellar area above the kneecap, passing the instrument down under the intermeniscal ligament and into the area behind the patellar tendon.
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CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS
Intraarticular arthrofibrosis of the knee alters patellofemoral contact biomechanics. Mikula JD, Slette EL, Dahl KD, Montgomery SR, Dornan GJ, O’Brien L, Turnbull TL and Hackett TR. J Exp Orthop. 2017 Dec; 4: 40.
Fibrosis is a common outcome following total knee arthroplasty Abdul N, Dixon D, Walker A, Horabin J, Smith N, Weir DJ, Brewster NT, Deehan DJ, Mann DA,1 and Borthwick LA. Sci Rep. 2015; 5: 16469.
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