Acute traumatic haemarthrosis of the knee: expectant treatment or arthroscopy?

We have prospectively studied 50 patients with an acute traumatic haemarthrosis of the knee to investigate the place of examination under anaesthesia and arthroscopy in a district general hospital. There was a wide spectrum of injury to the knee, and 30% of patients required operative procedures. These important injuries could not be diagnosed reliably on initial clinical examination. We conclude that in the active patient under 35 years of age this policy allows prompt and appropriate treatment.