In this retrospective study we analysed the major indications for knee arthroscopy and the diagnoses made using it in children and adolescents who had sustained knee joint injuries.

A total of 731 knee joint artroscopies were performed and retrospectively evaluated in patients under 19 years of age. The group included patients with knee joint injuries treated at our department in the 2000-2010 period. There were 413 boys (58%) and 300 girls (42%) with an average age of 14 years and 2 months. The clinical diagnosis was compared with the arthroscopic diagnosis.

The results of our comparative study were divided into three groups. The clinical diagnosis was fully confirmed in 62%, partially confirmed in 17% (combined injuries) and was wrong in 21% of the patients. In this group, the most frequent diagnosis made by arthroscopy was injury to the lateral meniscus. Arthroscopy revealed patellar dislocations in 18%, osteochondral and cartilage lesions in 16%, plica injuries in 15 %, medial meniscus injuries in 14%, anterior cruciate ligament lesions in 12% and lateral meniscus injury in 8% of the patients.

With the number of knee injuries in children and adolescents increasing every year, the role of arthroscopy in their diagnosis and treatment is becoming increasingly important. The results of our analysis showed gradual improvement in clinical outcomes and subjective evaluation of the arthroscopic technique in children and adolescents with the history of kneeinjury. Some authors report difficulties with the pre-operative diagnosis at this age; our results were notably better.

Knee arthroscopy is a safe and effective method of a high diagnostic and therapeutic value and its use inchildren and adolescents should be recommended.