Acute arthroscopy

Abstract

The role and significance of acute arthroscopy have been evaluated in the treatment of knee joint injuries on the basis of findings during 59 arthroscopic operations which were conducted within two weeks after the accident. The injuries developed isolated in more than half of the cases (65%) whereas they appeared in a combination of two or more in 26% and in 9%, respectively. Injuries requiring operation were found in 91.5%, most of which were ruptures of the ACL (33 cases) and menisci (23 cases). In the case of ACL rupture, in the acute phase on sportsmen and physical workers primary arthroscopically assisted transligamental replacement was performed with patellar graft while in the case of proximal rupture of the ACL reinsertion and augmentation were carried out with semitendinosus tendon. The ruptures of dislocated eminentia were refixed in each case. In the case of the rupture of meniscus the refixation of the meniscus of resection of the ruptured part was attempted. By means of acute arthroscopy the lesion of the intraarticular structures or that of their combinations can be exactly diagnosed. Depending on the findings of arthroscopy the injuries can be treated immediately or operated on at a later time, thus preventing the joint from further deterioration.