The treatment of suppurative arthritis with debndement under arthroscopy and persistent irrigation after operation

Abstract

Objective To investigate the treatment of suppurative arthritis with debridement under arthroscopy and persistent irrigation after operation. Methods 38 patients with suppurative arthritis were treated by debridement under arthroscopy and persistently irrigated after operation. The clinical results were evaluated through examination of the temperature, range of motion of the knee joint. Results All cases were followed up for 12 ～20 months. The temperature resumed to normal at an average of four postoperative days. All the knee regained the normal extension and more than 120 degree of flexion at seven weeks after operation. According to the Neer, the results were 26 of the cases were excellent, good in 9 and fair in 3. Excellent rate was 91.22%. No patient relapsed. Conclusion Debridement and irrigation under arthroscopy combined with early function exercises is an ideal therapeutic method for suppurative knee arthritis with the advantages of less invasion and better recovery. Key words: Knee; Suppurative arthritis; Arthroscopy; Debridement; Irrigation