[Post-traumatic hemarthrosis of the knee in children. Role of arthroscopy]

The results of a method in treating the post-traumatic hemarthrosis of the knee in children have been analyzed in a retrospective study covering 31 cases. In the presence of obvious initial lesions (11 cases) arthroscopy has had an only therapeutic function in three cases. In the absence of obvious initial lesions (20 cases) from afar, and without any prejudice on the final result, arthroscopy, if it has only been performed 13 times, has been therapeutic in seven cases. Once a routine way in surgery, in our experience it is justified in only half of the cases. Its diagnosis and therapeutic indications in children can, on our part, be limited and depend on a previous and very accurate examination followed by a careful and sustained treatment afterwards.