Arthroscopy of the knee in children.

A review was carried out of arthroscopy of the knee in children. During a 34-month period, 2,378 arthroscopies were performed, 80 of these on children less than 16 years of age. Seventy-one cases were reviewed, which is approximately 2% of all children seen at the clinic. Thirty procedures were carried out in patients with hemarthrosis. Eleven patients required operative repair or reconstruction. There were 13 ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (43%), 4 ruptures of the posterior cruciate ligament, 14 ruptures of the medial collateral or posterior oblique ligament, and 5 ruptures of the lateral meniscus. Forty-one arthroscopies were done in patients without hemarthrosis or history of acute trauma. A clinical diagnosis of meniscus tear was correct in only 20%. Only one meniscectomy was performed and another meniscus tear was repaired. The most common diagnostic finding was abnormality of the patellofemoral articulation, which was diagnosed in 31 patients. Arthroscopic shaving of the patella was rarely indicated. As in adults, hemarthrosis indicates significant injury to the knee. Meniscus lesions are rare.