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[The value of arthroscopy following traumatic patellar dislocation]
G Sperner1, K P Benedetto, W Glötzer
1Universitätsklinik für Unfallchirurgie, Innsbruck.
Summary
Traumatic patellar dislocations causing knee bleeding are effectively diagnosed and treated with arthroscopy. This minimally invasive technique yielded excellent outcomes in most patients, reducing the need for open surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Knee Arthroscopy
Background:
- Traumatic knee injuries, including patellar dislocations and osteochondral fractures, often present with hemarthrosis.
- Diagnosis and management of these injuries are crucial for patient recovery, especially in athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopy in diagnosing and treating traumatic patellar dislocations with hemarthrosis.
- To compare arthroscopic outcomes with traditional arthrotomy for these specific knee injuries.
Main Methods:
- Acute arthroscopy was performed on 280 patients presenting with traumatic knee hemarthrosis between 1984 and 1986.
- Twenty-six cases involved patellar dislocations as the cause of intraarticular bleeding, frequently linked to sports activities.
Main Results:
- Arthroscopy facilitated accurate diagnosis of patellar dislocations and associated osteochondral fractures.
- The majority of patients treated with arthroscopic surgery experienced excellent outcomes.
- Only three patients required subsequent arthrotomy, indicating a high success rate for arthroscopic intervention.
Conclusions:
- Arthroscopy is a highly effective diagnostic and therapeutic tool for traumatic patellar dislocations and associated injuries presenting with hemarthrosis.
- Minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery offers excellent results and minimizes the need for open procedures in managing these acute knee injuries.