Severe Arthrofibrosis post TKA. Radiation w/Revision?

Definitely will be looking this up.

A good friend of mine broke his knee years ago and had to have surgery to repair it with pins. Not a knee replacement. After surgery and the immobilization that occurs with knee fractures, he had arthrofibrosis and hit a limit for bending his knee, which he wasn't satisfied with. His physical therapist suggested a machine called a Flexionator which he rented for at home use. Luckily insurance paid for this. He used it for several months, and he said it was hard work. In the end his persistence paid off and he was able to bend his knee to a greater degree that before using the Flexionator. I would only suggest using it under the advice of a physical therapist or surgeon to make sure it's safe for arthrofibrosis after Total Knee Replacement, and not just after knee surgery.

Thanks Kathrine. I will look into this machine. My second opinion, which was at HSS, Manhattan, was to proceed with a revision to a hinged prosthesis. The doctors at HSS are not using radiation for revisions due to severe Arthrofibrosis.

HSS told me they don’t use radiation in revision surgery because of the lack of adequate studies and fear of infection, as the radiation slows healing. There is ongoing research into the use of radiation, as it reduces scarring post revision surgery.