[Significance of arthrography of the knee joint (author's transl)]

A survey on the double-contrast arthrographie of the knee is given. Speical problems of the method and the interpretation of the films are presented. Besides the delineation of the pathological alterations of the menisci, which is possible in about 85 to 95%, the possibility of delineation of other knee joint damage is discussed, their significance being far beyond that of the meniscal lesions. At last the post-operative changes of the knee joint following meniscectomy are summarized including the evaluation of plain films and repeat arthrography. Own investigations on 117 meniscectomized patients are presented. 35 patients had symptoms, on 23 of them a repeat arthrography could be performed. The symptoms could essentially be explained by meniscal remnants and degeneration of the cartilage at the operated site of the knee.