Restoration of Knee Volume Using Selected Arthroscopic Releases

BackgroundInflammation and subsequent fibrosis, adhesions, or plicae may limit normal capsular compliance and decrease volume capacity of the knee.HypothesisPatients with fibrosis, anterior interval scarring, adhesions, or palpable painful plicae will have decreased knee volumes when compared to controls, and selective arthroscopic releases will restore volume to normal levels.Study DesignDescriptive laboratory study and cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.MethodsIn part I, knee volume and pressure were recorded in 14 fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees, and the maximum volume capacity was identified before capsular disruption. In part II, 49 patients undergoing arthroscopy were divided into 2 groups based on intraoperative volume assessment at 50 mm H2O pressure: group 1 (n = 20) with normal volume ( 1 standard deviation below mean). Group 2 underwent volume-changing procedures such as lysis of adh...