Arthroscopy in the diagnosis of acute injuries to the knee joint

This study evaluates the role of arthroscopy in the diagnosis of acute injuries to the knee. One hundred and fifty four patients with a suspected ligament injury or effusion of the knee joint underwent arthroscopy. A haemarthrosis was present in 82% and a bloodless effusion in 10%. Meniscal tears were found in 19% of the knees. Fresh ligament ruptures were present in 71% and an associated haemarthrosis in 95% of these; 65% were partial tears. The commonest isolated lesion was a complete or partial tear of the anterior cruciate, which occurred in 15% of cases. More than one ligament injury occurred in 56%, the commonest combination being tears of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. In a high percentage of cases, arthroscopy revealed unsuspected injuries of significance in management. In 39%, an open or closed procedure followed arthroscopy. There were no complications from the diagnostic arthroscopy. We conclude that arthroscopy provides a more accurate diagnosis than clinical examination alone, and is especially valuable for assessing the patient with a haemarthrosis of the knee.