Knee-joint arthroscopy--early complications.

The complications that occurred within 14 days of both diagnostic and operative arthroscopies of the knee-joint in the first 1500 consecutive arthroscopies that were performed by one surgeon are reported. After certain complications were excluded, the remaining complications were graded according to their duration. In the diagnostic group of arthroscopies, the complication rate was 1.2% and of minor significance. In the operative group of arthroscopies, the complication rate was 4.1% and of a more-serious nature. Every effort should be made to minimize complications in a procedure which now is well-established and of great benefit to many patients.