[Neglected infection of the knee joint]

In this study the characteristics and the treatment of neglected, i.e. chronic infections of the knee joint are described. The reasons for a certain part of these diseases are explained. Some therapeutic aspects are treated in detail. There patients considered to be relatively typical for these alterations are presented, and the results achieved in them are described. The management of these diseases has become routine to a large extent. The problems still existing refer to the assessment of the inflammation site within the knee joint and to the decision whether synovectomy is advisable or not in the individual degree of inflammation.