title: The arthroscope in the Services.
abstract: The change in the role of the arthroscope in the investigation and treatment of the problems in the knee joint during the period 1977-1985 in one Service hospital was examined and a retrospective study was undertaken of 345 arthroscopies performed in Princess Alexandra RAF Hospital Wroughton in 1984. Three hundred and seventeen of the 345 records were available for study. One hundred and seventy five patients required an operative procedure, 129 arthroscopically and 46 by arthrotomy. These two groups were compared in respect of the length of stay in hospital and the periods taken to return to work and to normal sporting activities. Analysis showed a significant reduction (p less than 0.001) in all 3 periods in the group undergoing arthroscopic surgery when compared with the group undergoing arthrotomy. After 4 months, however, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups. The results in respect of clinical outcome were also assessed. Although not statistically significant, there were fewer post-operative complaints in those undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Analysis of the clinical outcome of 34 patients in whom no detectable pathology was seen at arthroscopy was inconclusive in predicting the final outcome.
authors.affiliation: Princess Alexandra Royal Air Force Hospital, Wroughton.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Surtees
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies