Quadricepsplasty in Stiff Knee: Report of 15 cases

During the period of 1960 to Aug. 1973, 85 cases of stiff knee Joints are experienced in this department. 27 out of 85 cases were surgically treated by means of quadricepsplasty, and 15 cases are followed for one year on average. Besides, 5 cases had the intra-articular adhesion in addition to quadriceps contracture. 3 of them were children with resultant stiff knee after intramuscular injection of antibiotics in the thigh for several weeks. After operation, an average 69° of fIexion were increased from 20° flexion mobility preoperatively. Eventually 89° of flexion were possible actively and passively. 7 cases had extension defect, which tends to develope in the case of severe rectus tightening at operation field and required lengthening. Immediate post-operative exercise is not supposed to promote better function compared to the cases with 2 weeks of immobilization in flexed position.