[Arthroscopy of the pediatric knee joint]

From April 1981 to April 1984 arthroscopy was performed on the knee joints of 33 children at the orthopedic clinic of Hanover Medical University. At the time of examination the children were aged between 5 and 14. It was found that the knee joints could be classified in two categories: Category 1: knee joints in which clinical findings were unclear and in which arthroscopy contributed to diagnosis. Category 2: knee joints in which the diagnosis had already been established, and in which arthroscopy was a help in deciding subsequent therapy. On the basis of the findings obtained in these investigations it can be stated that even in children, arthroscopy of the knee joint is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic aid.