The correlation between clinical diagnosis of knee pathology and findings at arthroscopy

175 patients referred for arthroscopy were studied prospectively to assess the accuracy of clinical examination supplemented by standard radiology in the evaluation of knee symptoms. Clinical diagnosis of medial meniscal tears was inaccurate while greater confidence could be placed in the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus tears. Clinical accuracy rates could be improved if patients with minimal symptoms were excluded from arthroscopy examination.