Arthroscopic examination of the knee. Polypuncture technique with percutaneous intra-articular manipulation.

Many of the limitations of conventional diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee have been largely overcome through the development of techniques that permit manipulation of intra-articular structures through paired, coordinated entry sites. Ten accessory entry sites are described. This technique was tested in sixty-three fresh knees from cadavera and was employed in fifty-eight knees of ninety patients who required arthroscopy between September 1976 and July 1977. The technique provided information of diagnostic significance that was not obtainable on preliminary conventional arthroscopic examination in 74 per cent of the clinical trials, and it resulted in no complications. It increased the accuracy and realiability of diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee and at times helped to avoid an exploratory arthrotomy while facilitating the planning of therapeutic arthrotomy.