Acute arthroscopy in children

The diagnostic value of arthroscopy in hemarthrosis of unknown origin of the knee joint in children is analysed on the basis of reports in the literature and our own patients. Of a total of 325 acute arthroscopies, 12 were carried out in children. 14 individual findings were made: 3 ruptures (non osseous) of anterior cruciate ligament, 4 meniscal tears, 4 osteochondral lesions, 1 cartilage damage in spontaneously repositioned patellar luxation and 2 other findings. Surgical treatment was indicated in 7 out of the 12 children. Acute arthroscopy is rarely employed in children. This is because corresponding injuries are very much rarer as a whole and not because the conditions are less serious. In our opinion, acute arthroscopy is called for in a greater number of pediatric patients than previously practiced.