Impact of diagnostic arthroscopy on the clinical judgement of an experienced arthroscopist

This study explores the impact of a careful analysis of 1000 consecutive cases of diagnostic arthroscopy conducted by the author. The cases are evaluated to determine whether there is a tendency to clinically misdiagnose certain lesions. The findings furthered knowledge in regards to other possible diagnoses for specific symptom complexes. Diagnostic arthroscopy has allowed surgeons to " fine tune" their preoperative diagnostic ability and can be a very useful enhancement to the armamentarium of clinical evaluations, laboratory tests, plain radiographs, and double contrast arthrograms as diagnostic tools for knee problems. An "audit" procedure is outlined that could benefit any surgeon who is concerned about increasing their diagnostic ability.