Post traumatic knee stiffness managed by modified Judet’s quadricepsplasty - what we achieved by surgery

Introduction: Post traumatic stiffness of knee joint developing after injury with or without surgical intervention is a difficult condition to manage. Surgical management of knee stiffness includes Thompson's quadricepsplasty and Judet's quadricepsplasty. Materials and Methods: We have performed modified Judet's quadricepsplasty in two cases of post traumatic knee stiffness. One patient with 0-100 movements achieved post operative range of gain of flexion of 800. Another case with 0-200 movements achieved post operative range of gain of flexion of 700. Judet's criteria was used to analyse the movements. We achieved “good” results in both the cases. Conclusion: Thompson's quadricepsplasty has problems like extension lag and wound dehiscence. Modified Judet's quadricepsplasty with step wise release seems to be the preferred procedure with lesser complication rates and better outcome. Functional outcome depends on post operative pain relief, physiotherapy and patient's cooperation.