role of arthroscopic examination in diagnosis of acute knee injuries

ABSTRACT

This study presents 50 patients with acute knee injuries. There was no gross collateral ligamentous injury or radiological abnormality, only joint swelling. Cases were clinically examined without and with anesthesia and arthroscopic examination was carried out. Anatomical lesions were detected in 45 cases [90%] which included anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] tear in 27 cases [34%], of these 6 cases [22%] proved arthroscopically to be associated with meniscal tears and one case [4%] with chondral fracture of the lateral femoral condyle. Isolated meniscal tears were found in 17 cases and 1 had posterior cruciate ligament tear. Arthroscopy increases the chance for reaching correct diagnosis added to the clinical means, helps in detecting combined injuries of knee structures and lastly clarifies the exact meniscal lesion