Arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cyst in 32 patients

Objective To discuss the techniques and efficacy of arthroscopic surgery treatment for popliteal cyst.Methods From February 2005 to May 2008,32 patients of knee osteoarthritis with popliteal cyst were diagnosed by ultrasonograph and treated with arthroscopy.During operation,the intra-articular pathology was corrected and the connecting hole between popliteal cyst and joint space were enlarged.The capsule was removed in 6 large cysts(about 5 cm in diameter) under arthroscopy.Results Arthroscopic examinations showed evident pathological changes in the knee joints of the 32 patients.Of all the 32 cases,28 cases were followed up from 6 to 29 months.The recurrence of popliteal cyst in 2 cases was involved in severe knee osteoarthritis.According to the Rauschning and Lindgren Grading,24 patients were grade Ⅱand 8 were grade Ⅲ before the operation.After the operation,26 patients were grade 0,4 were gradeⅠ,and 2 was grade Ⅱ.Conclusions The arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cyst has the advantages of mini-invasive,fast-recover,and low recurrence.