ENDOSCOPY OF THE DEEP INFRAPATELLAR BURSA

Endoscopy of extraarticular cavities, clefts, and recesses is routinel y performed today. Endoscopy of the deep infrapatellar bursa of the kn ee is an additional new field for minimal invasive exploration and sur gery, the more so as this area can be penetrated without major additio nal tissue damage following arthroscopy of the knee. The indications f or endoscopy of the infrapatellar recess are ossicle formation and ost eophytes in Osgood Schlatter's disease, infrapatellar tendinopathy, an d bursitis. Endoscopic surgery consists in bursa resection, shaving of the backside of the distal patella tendon, and removel of ossicles an d osteophytes. In three cases of Osgood Schlatter's disease, the deep infrapatellatendon recess was successfully decompressed by endoscopic methods. The potential danger of this endoscopic procedure is iatrogen ic damage of the patella insertion area.