title: Arthroscopy in patients with recalcitrant retropatellar pain syndrome.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the arthroscopic findings in patients with recalcitrant retropatellar pain syndrome (RPPS) and correlate them with the patient's long-term clinical course. All patients undergoing arthroscopy for recalcitrant retropatellar pain syndrome were evaluated. Patients were excluded from the study if there was any history consistent with a meniscal or cruciate injury or if they had previously had knee surgery. Long-term follow-up was obtained in 41 of 81 patients (51%) (range, 24 to 73 months; mean, 51 months). The arthroscopic findings were recorded, and the status of chrondral surfaces graded and correlated with clinical ratings, which utilized a modification of the Insall rating system. Debridement of cartilage irregularities was performed routinely. At follow-up, nearly equal numbers of patients improved, stayed the same, or got worse. No correlation was seen between the findings at arthroscopy and the long-term results. Debridement of cartilage lesions was not found to be beneficial as a treatment modality. Missed intra-articular pathology was found at arthroscopy in only two (4%) of the 81 patients. Based on this study, conservative treatment remains the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Naval Hospital Oakland, California.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Osgood
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kneisl
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Barrack
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D010329:Patella; D013577:Syndrome