The Judet quadricepsplasty for the management of post-traumatic stiffness of the knee. A retrospective analysis of 21 cases [L'artromiolisi secondo Judet nel trattamento delle rigidità post-traumatiche di ginocchio. Analisi retrospettiva di 21 casi]

Aim. After 50 years, the Judet quadricepsplasty is still the main therapy for stiffness of the knee. This surgery consists of cutting the proximal insertion of the vastum lateralis muscle, releasing all the connections that the quadriceps has with the femour and releasing the intra-articular adhesions. A retrospective analysis of the stiffness of the knee treated since 1985 with the Judet quadricepsplasty was performed at the 1st Department of Orthopedics, University of Turin. The aim was to determine if the operative risks, the long scar, the hard physiotherapy and the possible complications were justified by the quality of the results. Methods. Twenty-one Judet quadricepsplasties with a 2-year minimum follow-up were reviewed. Surgery has been performed for severe extension contractures due to femur fractures. Results. Preoperatively, all cases showed a severe extension stiffness with an average of 25° flexion. The average improvement in knee flexion at follow-up was 70° with 17 (81%) patients achieving a final flexion of 80° or more. The results of 2 schedules, WOMAC and SF 36, have shown how their quality of life is very close to the general population. Conclusion. These results show how Judet quadricepsplasty can still be considered an up-to-date method due to its versatility and low rate of complications.