[Significance of contrast radiography in the assessment of the state of the muscles and differential diagnosis of extensor contractures of the knee joint].

On the basis of analysis of the roentgen contrast examination of femoral muscles of the patients with extension contractures of knee joint, roentgen systematics of the muscle changes at given pathology is presented and the criteria of differential diagnosis of contractures of different types are proposed. 55 patients (125 examinations) with extension contractures of knee joint (arthrogenic, immobilizing, due to myofascio-tenodesis) of different etiology were subjected to roentgen contrast myography. As a consequence, this offered a means of objective evaluation of the muscle state and enabled one to discover the changes of muscles, specific for contractures in general as well as for each type in particular.