Cartilaginous abrasion and debridement: correlation between type of cartilaginous injury and results in patients with a 4 to 9-year follow-up.

It is the purpose of this study to verify whether or not there is a correlation between some parameters for cartilaginous injury (width, depth, and type of injury), analyzed separately, and the medium to long-term prognosis of the same. Thus, the parameters were analyzed, correlating them individually with the results obtained when a self-evaluation form was used, and the Lysholm-Gillquist score system. The small number of patients (because of the strict criteria for inclusion) does not allow for a statistically valid analysis of the results obtained. At any rate, the following considerations may be made: the depth parameter for the injury may be a valid element alone in determining a medium- to long-term prognosis; this agrees with what is reported in the literature. The parameter for width of the injury, based on our results, does not appear to be a sufficient element to determine a correlation with future prognosis. As for the type of lesion parameter, this could be correlated with the prognosis. Studies conducted in this sense with higher numbers of patients could determine the type of injury with the worst prognosis.

Traumatic dislocation of the knee. A review of the literature and our experience.

It is the purpose of this study to analyze the data found in the literature and to compare our experience with that of other traumatology centers. A series of patients observed between 1985 and 1996 were reviewed. Nine out of 12 patients with sequelae related to dislocation of the knee were re-evaluated. Based on an analysis of the results, obtained by using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form, it was concluded that the patients treated surgically are better overall. It is possible only rarely to obtain satisfactory recovery in work and/or sports activity, as the lesion is severe and even when treated it leaves functional and/or structural sequelae of varying importance.

Spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee with lesion of the lateral meniscus and arthrosis of the lateral compartment.

One of the possible atraumatic causes of recurring hemarthrosis of the knee is constituted by the association of a lesion of the lateral meniscus with severe gonarthrosis of the lateral compartment. In the case described we were able to determine the cause of frequent bleeding (12 times in 15 months) in a traction caused by the injured meniscal tissue on the terminal branches of the geniculated arteries in the area of the popliteal hiatus. Thus, this clinical manifestation cannot be attributed to a synovial pathology. Total arthroscopic meniscectomy solved the problem.