Different techniques for diagnostic arthroscopy. A randomized comparative study

A randomized comparison between the anterolateral approach and the Needlescope technique for knee joint arthroscopy in 121 consecutive patients is presented. The central approach was used a reference, and the results of the other two techniques were compared with the results of this technique in the same patient. It is shown that the Needlescope necessitates a multiple puncture technique to give reliable information. When so used the results were comparable with those obtained with Storz arthroscopes and the central approach. On the other hand, the anterolateral approach gave less accurate results, mainly because of the difficulties encountered in examining the posterior compartments.