Arthroscopy in the treatment of knee septic arthritis

Objective: to evaluate the use of arthroscopic irrigation in the treatment of septic arthritis of the knee joint.
Methods: This case series study. Was conducted in Al-Jamhori Teaching Hospital in Mosul, from August 2003 to December 2005, on twenty patients with septic arthritis of knee joint who presented with pain, fever, swelling and limitation of movements of their affected knee joint. The mean age of the patients was 31.5 years, and the female to male ratio was 1:1.5. Arthroscopic irrigation was arranged within 24 hours of admission, suction drain used, with the use of intravenous antibiotic for 7 days then change to oral antibiotic for 5-6 weeks. laboratory investigation and X-ray were done, aspiration of synovial fluid was send for analysis, direct gram stain, culture and sensitivity.
Results: Synovial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis and showed typical changes of septic arthritis. We achieved 60% excellent, 30% good and 10% acceptable results of the knee joint depending on clinical evaluation and laboratory investigation. Most of patients were delayed in presentation. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest causative organism.
Conclusion: Arthroscopic irrigation of knee joint has encouraging results in the treatment of septic knee with low incidence of complications.