With progression, scar tissue (or fibrosis) leads to closure of the anterior interval, tethering the patella tendon and causing pain, loss of range of motion, damage to knee cartilage, and/or pain, among other symptoms.
[1] Diagnosis of arthrofibrosis or scar tissue in the anterior interval can consist of clinical signs such as a positive Hoffa test, loss in knee flexion, and/or diminished superoinferior patella mobility, with supplementation by magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI)[1] Post-surgical rehabilitation should be conservative in nature, focusing on maintaining joint mobility via early motion to avoid reformation of scar tissue.
Weight bearing is delayed appropriately post-surgically to promote control of swelling, pain, and joint irritation.
They frequently have involved previous knee injury or trauma, such as anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.
[3][4] More subtle origins of fibrotic contracture in the anterior interval have also been attributed to plica (or naturally occurring folds in the knee joint lining) that become stiff and restrictive.