results of arthroscopic study of 100 cases in imam khomeini hospital

the arthroscopic study of knee joint is of outstanding interest in assessment of knee complaints. the present article describes the results of arthroscopic examination of 100 patients (mean age 29.4 years 82% male) evaluated from 1996 to 1997 in imam khomeini hospital of tehran. sport injury was the most prevalent cause of referral (40%). the 2 most frequent complaints were knee pain (94%) and tenderness (63%). arthroscopic findings were pathologic changes of synovial fluid in 8, changes on articular surface of patella in 23, pathologic findings of femoral condyles and changes on articular surface of tibial plate in 24 cases. other findings included plica in 18, tears of meniscus in 49, complete or partial tears of anterior cruciate ligament in 23 patients. diagnostic accuracy of pre-arthroscopic clinical diagnosis was 88% and 93% for tears of meniscue and anterior cruciate ligament respectively. arthroscopy of patellofemoral joint is an important adjunct to clinical and radiographic examination in diagnosis of knee complaints.