Arthroscopy in Traumatic Hemarthrosis of Knee

Background: The majority of acute traumatic hemarthroses of knee are due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, their frequency and associated knee injuries in Iranian patients are not studied by arthroscopic examination, yet. Objectives: The authors planned an arthroscopic study of acute traumatic hemarthrosis of knee in patients with insufficient symptoms, signs to exact diagnosis. Methods: A consecutive series of patients with acute traumatic hemarthrosis of knee and no facture around knee joint refereed to Imam Khomeini hospital, Tehran, Iran from December 2006 to December 2009, were evaluated. Patients with early-onset knee hemarthrosis and insufficient physical examinations were included in the study. Patients under local or regional anesthesia underwent arthroscopic examination. Results: Over a 36-month period, 43 consecutive patients (male 39, female 4) with mean age of 27.21 ± 7.22 years (age range of 16 to 49 years) were evaluated. Average time between the injury and Arthroscopy was three weeks (from one to four weeks). Falling and Sport injuries were the most common modes of injury, and right knee was injured most frequently. The most common arthroscopic findings were rupture of the ACL (77.3%). The most common complaints were Knee swelling (84.1 %), pain (77%) and giving way (27%). Under anesthesia, 17 (38.6%) patients had negative anterior and posterior drawer and other laxity tests. Conclusions: In patients with posttraumatic hemarthrosis of knee, surgeons could diagnose the injury etiology by taking history, physical and MRI examinations, but in case of doubts, the surgeon can perform an arthroscopy which is a minimally invasive and effective technique for correct diagnosis and proper treatment to prevent later complications such as meniscal tear and injury to the cartilage.