Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39900807›Full record

ArticleWiener klinische Wochenschrift2025

Conservative treatment of knee arthrofibrosis according to a cellular cytokine-based model : A retrospective pilot evaluation.

Robert Wakolbinger-Habel, Jakob Gaudernak, Brigitte Elisabeth Scheffold, Rainer Fiala, Robert Breuer, Martin Bittner-Frank, Clemens Lang, Helena Zehetner-Nics, Ana Oljaca, Mehdi Mousavi and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Wiener klinische Wochenschrift, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Robert Wakolbinger-HabelClinic Donaustadt, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM), Vienna Healthcare Group, Langobardenstraße 122, 1220, Vienna, Austria. robert.wakolbinger-habel@gesundheitsverbund.at.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5855-395X
Jakob GaudernakClinic Donaustadt, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM), Vienna Healthcare Group, Langobardenstraße 122, 1220, Vienna, Austria.
Brigitte Elisabeth ScheffoldClinic Donaustadt, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM), Vienna Healthcare Group, Langobardenstraße 122, 1220, Vienna, Austria.
Rainer FialaClinic Donaustadt, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Vienna Healthcare Group, Langobardenstraße 122, 1220, Vienna, Austria.
Robert BreuerClinic Donaustadt, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Vienna Healthcare Group, Langobardenstraße 122, 1220, Vienna, Austria.
Martin Bittner-FrankClinic Donaustadt, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Vienna Healthcare Group, Langobardenstraße 122, 1220, Vienna, Austria.
Clemens LangClinic Donaustadt, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Vienna Healthcare Group, Langobardenstraße 122, 1220, Vienna, Austria.
Helena Zehetner-NicsClinic Floridsdorf, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM), Vienna Healthcare Group, Brünner Straße 68, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
Ana OljacaClinic Floridsdorf, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM), Vienna Healthcare Group, Brünner Straße 68, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
Mehdi MousaviClinic Donaustadt, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Vienna Healthcare Group, Langobardenstraße 122, 1220, Vienna, Austria.
Tatjana Paternostro-SlugaClinic Donaustadt, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM), Vienna Healthcare Group, Langobardenstraße 122, 1220, Vienna, Austria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundArthrofibrosis (AF) is a relatively frequent complication after knee surgery, leading to painful limitation of joint mobility. Currently, intense stretching is performed in many patients, without improvements in mobility. A novel concept, established on a cellular, cytokine-based model, advocates to consider the warning function of pain and to terminate forced joint mobilization to disrupt the cycle of arthrofibrosis. Based on these findings, our clinic developed a comprehensive antifibrotic treatment protocol. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the patients treated so far.

methodsPatients treated at the Clinic Donaustadt, an academic teaching hospital of the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, according to the clinic's AF protocol, were evaluated by reviewing their records. Patellar mobility, range of motion, tightness, overheat, pain, general mobility, assistive devices, working status and the necessity of additional surgery were assessed at baseline, after 2 months and after 12 months (follow-up).

resultsFour patients were treated according to the AF protocol. After two months, patellar mobility and range of motion clearly increased in three out of four patients. At the follow-up examination, patella mobility further increased, extension was complete, flexion at least 120°, and symptoms such as tightness, overheating, nocturnal pain and pain after activity had disappeared in three out of four patients. None of the patients had analgesics or walking aids and three out of four patients had returned to work. Out of the four patients, three expressed high satisfaction with the AF protocol and reported no limitations in daily life, including recreational activities.

conclusionBased on this pilot evaluation, the comprehensive conservative AF program seems to have high potential. Therefore, larger future studies should be conducted to validate this concept.

Indexed as

Conservative TreatmentCytokinesKnee JointPostoperative ComplicationsAdultAgedFemaleFibrosisHumansMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsRange of Motion, ArticularRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeCytokinesArthrofibrosisJoint mobilityKnee surgeryMyofibroblastsStiffnessTotal knee arthroplasty

Identifiers

PMID39900807
PMCPMC12446133

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.