Basic knee arthroscopy part 1: patient positioning.

Knee arthroscopy is an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of disorders of the knee. In a series of 4 articles, the basics of knee arthroscopy are reviewed. In this article (part 1), patient positioning, tourniquet placement, and draping are reviewed. Meticulous attention to these details allows surgical access to the compartments of the knee. A circumferential leg holder or a lateral post allows the application of varus and valgus forces to open the medial and lateral compartments of the knee.