Arthroscopic assisted diagnosis and treatment of knee extension limitation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To figure out the incidence and etiology of knee extension limitation and then to find out the proper methods of arthroscopic assisted diagnosis and treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We reviewed 303 cases of arthroscopic assisted operation from January to October 2003, 95 cases of which suffered from knee extension limitation before operation, including 54 male and 41female and the mean age was 36.2 years old. The direct reasons of knee extension limitation were identified by routine arthroscopic examination and operations were carried out according to results of the examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Incidence of knee extension limitation in this group of patients was 31.4%. Trauma, mainly meniscus and ligament injury accounted for 67.4%, which was the most common reason of knee extension limitation. Acute or chronic arthritis like degenerative arthritis, non-specific synovitis, synovial chondromatosis, rheumatoid arthritis, pigmented villonodular synovitis, gouty arthritis and acute pyogenic arthritis formed another common reason. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 20 months, average 13.3 months. 82 cases gained full extension immediately after operation, 9 cases gained full extension after 3 weeks rehabilitation post-operation, 4 cases did not gain full extension 1 year after operation, recurrence was observed in 4 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Arthroscopy is the best method for diagnosis of knee extension limitation at present. Satisfactory results can be expected after early arthroscopic assisted treatment.</p>

Arthroscopic treatment of the giant cell tumor of tendon sheath in knee joint / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the technique of diagnosis and treatment of intra-articular giant cell tumor of tendon sheath (GCTTS) in knee joint, and to evaluate its clinical results.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve patients with GCTTS treated during 15 years were reviewed. Nine cases were misdiagnosed with meniscus injury (6 cases) and chronic synovitis (3 cases) before operation, only 3 cases were confirmed the diagnosis of GCTTS by MRI. Complete tumorectomy under arthroscope was performed on all 12 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results of clinical and radiographic followed-up of 9 patients for 1 to 10 years after operation was satisfactory. Clinical symptoms disappeared, range of motion and X-ray findings were normal. There was no recurrent case found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Arthroscopic removal of GCTTS is an effective treatment. Tumor wide resection and debriding the channel which tumor passed through are the key point to prevent the recurrence after operation.</p>