Arthrography in the study of extrameniscal pathology of the knee

We re-examined 800 arthrographies performed between 1984 and 1986 according to the Lindblom-Ficat-Philippe method. 280 had pure meniscal lesions. In the remaining 520 cases, arthrography revealed extrameniscal pathology, sometimes associated with meniscal lesions, as well as other pathologies which were either negative or equivocal. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the advantages of a simple method of diagnosis applicable to out patients in the study of extrameniscal pathologies which are often concealed by the associated meniscopathy. In fact, it is possible to observe chondral, synovial, capsular and ligamentous pathologies which may be very useful as a prelude to diagnostic arthroscopy, which we consider to be a second level test.