Arthroscopy of the knee. An analysis of 588 consecutive knee arthroscopies

In a consecutive study of 588 knee arthroscopies, the accuracy of the clinical and arthroscopical diagnosis is evaluated by means of the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. The investigation includes a number of orthopaedic knee disorders, and it is shown that arthroscopy gives a substantial increase in the diagnostic accuracy. Follow-up examination of the non operated patients showed that surgery was avoided in 19 per cent of the patients, in whom surgery was indicated by clinical diagnosis. It is concluded that arthroscopy is a safe and valuable procedure in the diagnosis of knee disorders, and the best method to avoid unnecessary surgery.