The impact of arthroscopy on the management of disorders of the knee.

A study has been made of 800 consecutive arthroscopic examinations of the knee with special emphasis on the changes in management that resulted. Of 614 knees that would have been operated upon if arthroscopy had not been available, open operation was avoided in 32 per cent, a defferent operation was done or planned in 27 per cent, and there was no important change in the remaining 41 per cent. Of 186 knees that would have been treated conservatively if arthroscopy had not been available, the examination resulted in some immediate benefit to 30 per cent of the patients. There were no wound infections after arthroscopy alone, and the known incidence of incorrect interpretation was 1.4 percent.