Arthrofibrosis

Arthrofibrosis (from Greek: arthro- joint, fibrosis – scar tissue formation) has been described in most joints like knee, hip, ankle, foot joints, shoulder (frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis), elbow (stiff elbow), wrist, hand joints as well as spinal vertebrae. It can occur after injury or surgery or may arise without an obvious cause. There is excessive scar tissue formation within the joint and/or surrounding soft tissues leading to painful restriction of joint motion that persists despite physical therapy and rehabilitation. The scar tissue may be located inside the knee joint or may involve the soft tissue structures around the knee joint, or both locations.

The pathology that causes arthrofibrosis also causes other forms of fibrosis. Injury and inflammation activates fibroblasts and other cell types, turning them into myofibroblasts which create scar tissue and more inflammation.