Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Arthrofibrosis is a condition in which you have a buildup of scar tissue around a joint, usually after a traumatic injury or surgical procedure. It’s especially common in the knee. Arthrofibrosis can be debilitating, limiting yourrange of motionand causingsubstantial pain.
Conservative treatments like rest, pain medication, and exercises are usually tried first. If they don’t help, surgery may be needed to remove the excess scar tissue.
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Arthrofibrosis Symptoms
The primary symptoms of arthrofibrosis include:
You may also develop:
Symptoms can become more debilitating than the original injury or the problem that prompted surgery, making it difficult to walk, drive, or get in and out of a chair.
2:03Click Play to Learn How to Break Up Scar Tissue in Your Knee
2:03
Click Play to Learn How to Break Up Scar Tissue in Your Knee
Your body’s natural response to trauma, such as from an injury or surgery, is to make scar tissue. Some people tend to make too much, especially if they have an infection at the site or another problem that complicates healing.
According to a 2019 study, that may be due to a disruption in the healing process. Essentially, your body doesn’t get the message to stop the healing process even after the trauma is repaired, so it just keeps making scar tissue.
Scar tissue is dense and fibrous. When it forms in abundance, it can bind down the joint and prevent the normalrange of motion. The process also can cause your muscles and connective tissues to shorten and harden (called contractures.)
When you go to the healthcare provider with symptoms of arthrofibrosis, they will generally give you a physical examination and ask about your history of injury or surgery. They’ll also look at your ability to flex your knee.
To confirm the diagnosis and get a feel for the extent of the problem, you’ll likely be sent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray.
According to current diagnostic criteria, arthrofibrosis can be diagnosed when the limited range of motion in the joint is persistent despite conservative treatments.
However, some researchers question whether this is a valid criterion because some confirmed cases have involved minimal range-of-motion loss but have still been considerably painful and disabling.
The first treatment for arthrofibrosis is rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the pain and swelling. You’ll likely be advised to start gentle range-of-motion exercises to increase flexibility. You may also be referred to physical therapy to improve your use of the joint.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, then you have the option of two common procedures: manipulation under anesthesia or surgical removal of scar tissue. Both are performed in the operating room under anesthesia, and they can be performed in combination in some cases.
In the non-surgical option, you’re put under general anesthesia and the healthcare provider forcefully bends your leg to break up scar tissue.
Preventing arthrofibrosis after surgery is best accomplished with early range of motion rehabilitation. Arthrofibrosis used to be much more common after ACL surgery when healthcare providers used to restrict patients' mobility to allow the ligament to heal.
Now, due to advances in surgical techniques and rehabilitation, most surgeons are instructing their patients to move the joint within hours or days of surgery, and that’s lowered the likelihood of arthrofibrosis.
A 2019 study cautions against “aggressive” physical therapy, though, because exercise can trigger inflammation and in some cases worsen the problem.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo, arthrofibrosis can’t be cured right now. Most cases resolve with conservative treatment, though, and newer, better treatments are in the works.Arthrofibrosis can be very serious and cause pain plus significant limitations on your mobility and activity levels. Early diagnosis and treatment can keep it from getting to that point.Recovery time depends on the severity of your arthrofibrosis. With a mild case and proper treatment, your symptoms may go away in a few weeks.For more advanced cases, which may require surgery, it can take much longer. Your healthcare provider can give you an estimate based on multiple factors.
No, arthrofibrosis can’t be cured right now. Most cases resolve with conservative treatment, though, and newer, better treatments are in the works.
Arthrofibrosis can be very serious and cause pain plus significant limitations on your mobility and activity levels. Early diagnosis and treatment can keep it from getting to that point.
Recovery time depends on the severity of your arthrofibrosis. With a mild case and proper treatment, your symptoms may go away in a few weeks.For more advanced cases, which may require surgery, it can take much longer. Your healthcare provider can give you an estimate based on multiple factors.
Recovery time depends on the severity of your arthrofibrosis. With a mild case and proper treatment, your symptoms may go away in a few weeks.
For more advanced cases, which may require surgery, it can take much longer. Your healthcare provider can give you an estimate based on multiple factors.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Usher KM, Zhu S, Mavropalias G, Carrino JA, Zhao J, Xu J.Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic outlooks for arthrofibrosis.Bone Res. 2019;7:9. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0047-xFrye BM, Floyd MW, Pham DC, Feldman JJ, Hamlin BR.Effect of femoral component design on patellofemoral crepitance and patella clunk syndrome after posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty.J Arthroplasty. 2012;27(6):1166–1170. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2011.12.009Ekhtiari S, Horner NS, de Sa D, Simunovic N, Hirschmann MT, Ogilvie R, Berardelli RL, Whelan DB, Ayeni OR.Arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction is best treated in a step-wise approach with early recognition and intervention: A systematic review.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2017;25(12):3929-3937. doi:10.1007/s00167-017-4482-1Cheuy VA, Foran JR, Paxton RJ, Bade MJ, Zeni JA, Stevens-Lapsley JE.Arthrofibrosis associated with total knee arthroplasty.The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2017;32(8):2604-2611. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.02.005Lawrence SE, Shelbourne KD.Treatment and rehabilitation of arthrofibrosis of the knee. in: Giangarra CE, Manske RC. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, A Team Approach. Elsevier.Shelbourne Knee Center.Arthrofibrosis of the knee.Blessing WA, Williamson AK, Kirsch JR, Grinstaff MW.The prognosis of arthrofibroses: Prevalence, clinical shortcomings, and future prospects.Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2021;42(5):398-415. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2021.02.007
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Usher KM, Zhu S, Mavropalias G, Carrino JA, Zhao J, Xu J.Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic outlooks for arthrofibrosis.Bone Res. 2019;7:9. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0047-xFrye BM, Floyd MW, Pham DC, Feldman JJ, Hamlin BR.Effect of femoral component design on patellofemoral crepitance and patella clunk syndrome after posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty.J Arthroplasty. 2012;27(6):1166–1170. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2011.12.009Ekhtiari S, Horner NS, de Sa D, Simunovic N, Hirschmann MT, Ogilvie R, Berardelli RL, Whelan DB, Ayeni OR.Arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction is best treated in a step-wise approach with early recognition and intervention: A systematic review.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2017;25(12):3929-3937. doi:10.1007/s00167-017-4482-1Cheuy VA, Foran JR, Paxton RJ, Bade MJ, Zeni JA, Stevens-Lapsley JE.Arthrofibrosis associated with total knee arthroplasty.The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2017;32(8):2604-2611. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.02.005Lawrence SE, Shelbourne KD.Treatment and rehabilitation of arthrofibrosis of the knee. in: Giangarra CE, Manske RC. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, A Team Approach. Elsevier.Shelbourne Knee Center.Arthrofibrosis of the knee.Blessing WA, Williamson AK, Kirsch JR, Grinstaff MW.The prognosis of arthrofibroses: Prevalence, clinical shortcomings, and future prospects.Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2021;42(5):398-415. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2021.02.007
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Usher KM, Zhu S, Mavropalias G, Carrino JA, Zhao J, Xu J.Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic outlooks for arthrofibrosis.Bone Res. 2019;7:9. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0047-xFrye BM, Floyd MW, Pham DC, Feldman JJ, Hamlin BR.Effect of femoral component design on patellofemoral crepitance and patella clunk syndrome after posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty.J Arthroplasty. 2012;27(6):1166–1170. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2011.12.009Ekhtiari S, Horner NS, de Sa D, Simunovic N, Hirschmann MT, Ogilvie R, Berardelli RL, Whelan DB, Ayeni OR.Arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction is best treated in a step-wise approach with early recognition and intervention: A systematic review.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2017;25(12):3929-3937. doi:10.1007/s00167-017-4482-1Cheuy VA, Foran JR, Paxton RJ, Bade MJ, Zeni JA, Stevens-Lapsley JE.Arthrofibrosis associated with total knee arthroplasty.The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2017;32(8):2604-2611. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.02.005Lawrence SE, Shelbourne KD.Treatment and rehabilitation of arthrofibrosis of the knee. in: Giangarra CE, Manske RC. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, A Team Approach. Elsevier.Shelbourne Knee Center.Arthrofibrosis of the knee.Blessing WA, Williamson AK, Kirsch JR, Grinstaff MW.The prognosis of arthrofibroses: Prevalence, clinical shortcomings, and future prospects.Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2021;42(5):398-415. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2021.02.007
Usher KM, Zhu S, Mavropalias G, Carrino JA, Zhao J, Xu J.Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic outlooks for arthrofibrosis.Bone Res. 2019;7:9. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0047-x
Frye BM, Floyd MW, Pham DC, Feldman JJ, Hamlin BR.Effect of femoral component design on patellofemoral crepitance and patella clunk syndrome after posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty.J Arthroplasty. 2012;27(6):1166–1170. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2011.12.009
Ekhtiari S, Horner NS, de Sa D, Simunovic N, Hirschmann MT, Ogilvie R, Berardelli RL, Whelan DB, Ayeni OR.Arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction is best treated in a step-wise approach with early recognition and intervention: A systematic review.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2017;25(12):3929-3937. doi:10.1007/s00167-017-4482-1
Cheuy VA, Foran JR, Paxton RJ, Bade MJ, Zeni JA, Stevens-Lapsley JE.Arthrofibrosis associated with total knee arthroplasty.The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2017;32(8):2604-2611. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.02.005
Lawrence SE, Shelbourne KD.Treatment and rehabilitation of arthrofibrosis of the knee. in: Giangarra CE, Manske RC. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, A Team Approach. Elsevier.
Shelbourne Knee Center.Arthrofibrosis of the knee.
Blessing WA, Williamson AK, Kirsch JR, Grinstaff MW.The prognosis of arthrofibroses: Prevalence, clinical shortcomings, and future prospects.Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2021;42(5):398-415. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2021.02.007
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