Complications of knee arthroscopy performed by rheumatologists

Objective. To evaluate the complication rate of knee arthroscopy as perform ed by rheumatologists. Methods. A prospective study of complication rate in sequential patients ha ving knee arthroscopies performed by rheumatologists at University of Calif ornia Los Angeles (UCLA) over an 8 year period. Results. A total of 342 knee arthroscopies were performed. There were 6 com plications (1.8%), including one each of seizure, gout, portal cellulitis, ankle pain, inadequate knee drainage, and vasovagal symptoms. There was no longterm morbidity or mortality secondary to the procedures. Conclusion. Knee arthroscopy performed by experienced rheumatologists train ed in arthroscopy has a low rate of complications, which are mostly minor.