Arthroscopy of the knee joint: diagnostic and therapeutic potentials.
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Date
1990
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
In Tanzania, diagnostic arthroscopy was introduced in the early 80's, and to many clinicians, arthroscopy is not as popular as other endoscopic methods like gastroscopy, cystoscopy, laparascopy and bronchoscopy. The evolution of arthroscopy dates back to 1918, but the most important milestone in arthroendoscopic examination and surgery was in the 70's and 80's. Many centres are now specialising in arthroscopic surgery as a routine outpatient procedure, and this has greatly improved the quality of knee treatment. Eight hundred and fourty-seven (847) arthroscopies were performed on seven hundred and eighty two (732) patients from January 1985 to December 1986 at the KKH Dormagen. There were 462 (59.1%) male patients and 320 (40.9°0) female patients. The ages of the patient ranged between 11 and 71 years, average age being 36.5 years. Analysis is made to compare the clinical, radiological arthroscopic and whenever possible intraoperative findings pertaining to the causes of internal derangement of the knee joint. Analysis is made based on arthroscopic findings on the causes of internal derangements of the knee joint and the ultimate plan for final treatment of the patient. Arthroscopic anatomy and pathology is discussed. Biomechanics and the patho-anatomic changes causing internal derangements of the knee is discussed. With these facts it is shown that improving the facilities available with the limited resources at hand, arthroscopy has a definite place in Tanzania as far as improving the quality of knee treatment, decreasing morbidity in knee treatment, reducing hospital stay as well as providing a basis for research as to the common causes of gonarthralgia in Tanzania.
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Available in print form
Keywords
Knee, Surgery, Wounds and injuries
Citation
Sharif, S. I. (1990). Arthroscopy of the knee joint: diagnostic and therapeutic potentials. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/search.aspx?formtype=advanced)