Algorithm for establishing the indication for knee arthroscopy in children: a comparison of adolescent and preadolescent children

The aim of this study was to select children with pathological lesions of t he intra-articular structures from children with identical complaints but w ith no pathological intra-articular changes. The younger the child, the mor e difficult it is to make the diagnosis, and the expected distribution of p athology changes increasingly. This is particularly stressed in children ag ed younger than 13 years. Synovial inflammatory alterations are more freque nt, and osteochondral and chondral fractures appear to be more problematic than meniscal and cruciate ligament lesions. Before establishing the indica tion for knee arthroscopy it is mandatory to implement the algorithm of dia gnostic and conservative therapeutic procedures. The indication for knee ar throscopy is considered in cases when complaints persist after conservative treatment, a lesion of intra-articular segments is suspected, and the path ological condition is deemed arthroscopically treatable. Arthroscopy before conservative treatment is justified only in acute cases.