Judet's Quadricepsplasty Technique Offers Excellent Functional Outcome Without an Extension Lag for Extension Contracture of the Knee: A Retrospective Cohort of 33 Patients.

Abstract

The Judet's technique of quadricepsplasty for an extension contracture of the knee joint offers the benefit of a sequential and controlled release of the intrinsic and extrinsic soft tissue constituents restricting the knee flexion. The main principle of our study was to analyze the clinical as well as functional outcome and to assess an extension lag following Judet's quadricepsplasty for the knee extension contracture deformity. This is a retrospective cohort study comprises of thirty three patients, operated for extension contracture with Judet's quadricepsplasty with the mean follow-up was 30 months. Knee range of motion of the operated knee was recorded preoperatively and at 6, 12 and 24 month follow-up after the surgery. Judet's criteria were used to evaluate the outcomes following the procedure. 92.42° (range, 60°-110°) of knee flexion was achieved after an average follow-up of 24 months compared to preoperative knee flexion was 14.09° (range 5°-25°), reflecting a 74.69° average improvement in knee flexion. Twelve patients had excellent results, nineteen had good results as per Judet's criteria but there were no patients with extension lag. The two patients with fair results had superficial wound infection which healed without any further surgical intervention. Judet's quadricepsplasty offers sequential release without extension lag of the knee joint. Patients with the knee extension contractures deformity can be successfully managed with the Judet's quadricepsplasty to gain useful knee motion and function.