THE IMPORTANCE OF OPERATIVE ARTHROSCOPY I N A SMALL TRAUMA SURGERY DEPARTMENT

The introduction of operative arthroscopy as a treatment option for a wide spectrum of trauma and orthopaedic complaints in a small group of in-patients has led to changes in operative procedures. With knee-joi nt injuries, any operative procedure can be precisely planned and is o ften carried out in two steps. Anterior displacement of the tibial tub erosity and other repair procedures for cartilage lesions have now lar gely given way to arthroscopic treatment. Arthroscopic diagnosis is su perior in accuracy to clinical/apparative diagnosis and reveals many a dditional findings that can also be treated immediately. In our group of patients the high number of degenerative lesions often combined wit h synovial disorders was striking.