Abstract
The present study examined the clinical results of arthroscopic treatment for pyogenic arthritis of the knee. Between 2003 and 2010, 8 patients (8 knees) with pyogenic arthritis were treated by arthroscopic debridement. The patients comprised 4 males and 4 females, with a mean age of 63.2 years. The causes of infection were intra-articular infection in 5 knees and unknown in 3. The mean follow-up period was 12.5 months. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured in 3 knees and Streptococcus pneumoniae in 3. The other 2 patients had negative aspirate cultures. After arthroscopic debridement, all the knees were treated by irrigation.
None of the cases showed failure of initial treatment and required revision surgery. The functional results according to Ballard's evaluation were good in 6 knees, fair in 1 and poor in 1. Irrigation was initially performed in all knees. We believe that irrigation is indicated for patients in whom an early diagnosis can be established, and that early diagnosis and treatment are important.
