[The septic knee - arthroscopic treatment.]

Arthroscopic irrigation has proved very effective in the treatment of the septic knee, provided that it is begun at the earliest possible time. We obtained very good results in 25 out of 27 cases treated by radical irrigation in the first three days after the start of infection. Cases where the infection had been present for more than six days were managed by synovectomy. Surgical therapy must be accompanied by intensive CPM treatment, combined with isometric exercises for the quadriceps muscle in order to achieve a good functional outcome. Key words: septic knee, arthroscopic irrigation.