Endoscopy of the deep infrapatellar bursa

Abstract

Endoscopy of extraarticular cavities, clefts, and recesses is routinely performed today. Endoscopy of the deep infrapatellar bursa of the knee is an additional new field for minimal invasive exploration and surgery, the more so as this area can be penetrated without major additional tissue damage following arthroscopy of the knee. The indications for endoscopy of the infrapatellar recess are ossicle formation and osteophytes in Osgood Schlatter's disease, infrapatellar tendinopathy, and bursitis. Endoscopic surgery consists in bursa resection, shaving of the backside of the distal patella tendon, and removal of ossicles and osteophytes. In three cases of Osgood Schlatter's disease, the deep infrapatellatendon recess was successfully decompressed by endoscopic methods. The potential danger of this endoscopic procedure is iatrogenic damage of the patella insertion area.