[Knee joint hemarthrosis--differential diagnostic considerations for planning an operation]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Knee Arthroscopy

Background:

• Acute knee joint hemarthrosis often indicates significant intra-articular pathology.
• Arthroscopy has evolved from a diagnostic tool to an invasive instrument for surgical planning and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopy in managing acute knee joint hemarthrosis.
• To determine the proportion of intra-articular lesions requiring surgical intervention.
• To assess arthroscopic techniques for various knee pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 620 patients undergoing knee arthroscopy for acute hemarthrosis between 1980 and 1988.
• Surgical intervention rates for different intra-articular lesions were recorded.
• Specific arthroscopic procedures for patellar dislocations, meniscus tears, tibial plateau fractures, and ACL ruptures were documented.

Main Results:

• 89.4% of intra-articular lesions associated with hemarthrosis required surgery.
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture was the most common pathology (64.8%), diagnosed within the first week in 51.04% of cases.
• Arthroscopic interventions were successful for patellar dislocations with fractures, meniscus refixation, tibial plateau fractures, and intercondylar eminence fractures.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopy is crucial for diagnosing and treating acute knee hemarthrosis, with a high percentage of patients requiring surgical intervention.
• Minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques provide effective solutions for diverse intra-articular knee injuries.
• Early diagnosis and arthroscopic management are vital for optimal outcomes in acute knee hemarthrosis.