Efficacy of Manipulation Under Anesthesia for Stiffness Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

Background

Knee stiffness following primary total knee arthroplasty can lead to unsatisfactory patient outcomes secondary to persistent pain and loss of function. Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) remains a viable option for treatment of post-operative stiffness. However, the optimal timing and clinical efficacy of manipulation of anesthesia remains unknown.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify studies that reported clinical outcomes for patients who underwent MUA for post-operative stiffness treatment. Repeat MUA procedures were included in the study but were analyzed separately.

Results

Twenty-two studies (1488 patients) reported on range of motion (ROM) after MUA, and 4 studies (81 patients) reported ROM after repeat MUA. All studies reported pre-MUA motion of less than 90°, while mean ROM at last follow-up exceeded 90° in all studies except 2. For studies reporting ROM improvement following repeat MUA, the mean pre-manipulation ROM was 80° and the mean post-manipulation ROM was 100.6°.

Conclusion

MUA remains an efficacious, minimally invasive treatment option for post-operative stiffness following TKA. MUA provides clinically significant improvement in ROM for most patients, with the best outcomes occurring in patients treated within 12 weeks post-operatively.

Prospero Registration Number

CRD42016052215.