Our primary research question is to find out whether there is a genetic component to the development of joint contractures following knee surgery, through the application of lab techniques.

After total knee replacement surgery, some people develop joint stiffness, which is also called a joint contracture. Contractures cause the envelope of the knee (called the capsule) to stiffen and become rigid so the patient can no longer move their knee the way they used to. After stretching and other exercises, only a surgery can try and divide or remove the contracture. The main purpose of this research is to study the cause of the contracture and specifically if certain people are predisposed to contractures.

Inclusion Criteria:

-knee contractures post arthroplasty scheduled for arthrotomy with debridement of capsular tissue Controls will be patients scheduled for arthrotomy with debridement of capsular tissue for the other reasons(primary knee arthroplasty, ORIF of the knee secondary to trauma, ACL repair, amputation, elective joint arthroplasty with capsuloplasty etc.)

Exclusion:

• transmissible disease (HIV, Hep B,C)
• confirmed or suspected neoplasia
• suspected infection

joint contractures following knee surgery