Relationship between Popliteal Cyst and the Intra-articular Knee Disorders

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical symptoms and the associated intra-articular disorders of the polpliteal cyst. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 56 patients, 60 cases of the popliteal cysts which. Had been treated with excision of the cyst after arthroscopy between May 1991 and February 2000. Arthroscopic findings and clinical results of the patients who had popliteal cyst were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty nine patients of the sixty patients of who had popliteal cyst showed intra-articular disorders. Tear of the meniscus and patello-femoral arthrosis with cartilage lesions were the most frequent intra-articular lesions. In 4 cases, recurrence of the popliteal cyst was noted. Two patients had tear of the meniscus and two had no intra-articular disorders. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that popliteal cysts frequently combined with intra-articular disorders. Arthroscopy of the knee joint seems worthwhile method for the patients who had popliteal cyst