Arthroscopic loose-body removal in posterior compartment of the knee joint: a technical note.

Abstract

The arthroscopic removal of loose bodies in the knee joints is a relatively common procedure. Quite often intra-articular loose bodies tend to localize at the posterior compartment due to gravity effect. However, it is often technically demanding to find and remove loose bodies located at the posterior compartment of the knee joint arthroscopically. We present the technical aspects of arthroscopic removal of the loose bodies located in the posterior compartment of the knee joint. Loose bodies at posterior compartment were subdivided into six regions in posterior knee compartment with preoperative MRI and arthroscopic findings. Each section needs slight different application of arthroscopic techniques for removal. We retrospectively studied 52 knees in 50 patients who underwent arthroscopic loose-body removal in posterior compartment, in 28 knees, additional posterior trans-septal portal was needed for removal of loose bodies. With the help of trans-septal portal, we have successfully removed the loose bodies even from the most difficult locations in posterior compartment.