Arthroscopic knee arthrodesis: 4 cases

Arthroscopic arthrodesis of the knee joint is an alternative to classical surgery, which retains a few exceptional indications. We report the first four cases of our experience, describing the technical modalities and indications. The four patients had undergone multiple operations for severe trauma. All four had persistent severe pain with a very limited walking distance. Before the procedure, the IKS score ranged from 11 to 44 and the mean function score was 20 to 45 points. Arthroscopic arthrodesis was proposed after several consultations and took into account the young age of the patient and a positive brace test. The successive arthroscopic times were: exploration and adherence release, complete extramural meniscectomy, joint surface avivement. Traction was not necessary. Careful avivement spared the anatomic curvatures of the condyles and slightly scraped out the plateaus. Finally, the arthrodesis was fixed in correct position under fluoroscopy using a single tube external fixator. The fixation was maintained until fusion (satisfactory x-ray and no pain). A drain was inserted only for the first patient. There were no cutaneous complications. Patients were discharged after 3 days on the average with immediate simulated weight bearing using two crutches. The external fixator was dynamized at two months (mean) and removed at five months. The functional gain was considerable in four patients, assessed at two years, with a mean IKS score of 75 and a mean function score of 80. The four patients walked without crutches and without pain. Single leg stance was stable. Final leg shortening was 1 to 2 cm. The arthroscopic approach provides several benefits: uneventful postoperative period, little bleeding, no cutaneous complications, shorter hospital stay. The time to fusion appears to be shorter than with classical techniques, but cannot be demonstrated clearly because of the diversity of the series reported in the literature. Arthroscopic arthrodesis does not require any special instruments, but does require surgical skill and a lengthy procedure. When arthrodesis is required the arthroscopic procedure is indicated for minimally deformed knees without major loss of bone stock.