Arthroscopic findings in the knees of preadolescent children: report of 23 cases.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review was to correlate the preoperative clinical diagnoses and the diagnostic arthroscopic findings in preadolescents with knee problems. We also studied the incidence of different types of knee pathology in this age group.


METHODS
Consecutive case series.


METHODS
Twenty-three preadolescents, 13 girls and 10 boys under the age of 13 years, presenting with mechanical knee problems underwent knee arthroscopy after clinical assessment.


RESULTS
Symptomatic plica synovialis was found to be the most frequent pathology (n = 8). This pathology was far more common in girls compared with boys. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries (n = 4) followed symptomatic plica synovialis in frequency. This was an isolated injury in all cases. The arthroscopic findings were negative in 4 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In 61% of preadolescent patients, the clinical diagnoses and arthroscopic findings were compatible and correct. The main error tended to be misdiagnosis of meniscal pathology (4 patients) and overdiagnosis (5 cases of negative arthroscopy).
Faraj
A A
AA
Department of Orthopaedics, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, England.
Schilders
E
E
Martens
M
M
D000367:Age Factors; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000074402:Synovectomy; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries