It is possible to document the menisci and their inner borders, bodies attachments, and posteromedial and posterolateral moorings. Identification of the anterior cruciate ligament and its condition both by observation and by watching the ligament under stress of a draw sign is possible. The posterior cruciate ligament can be seen through a posteromedial puncture in most patients because it is immediately beneath the synovium on the posterior septum as seen from the medial side. Observations include the popliteus tendon at its attachment, the posteromedial and posterior capsular structures and the tibial collateral ligament. The examination of the knee should be performed in a systematic manner so as to ensure that no pathology is overlooked.
Clinicians view the joint for loose bodies, synovial pathology, adhesions and other problems ie.
Strobel and Stedtfeld describe a different approach to the joint. Medial compartment Intercondylar notch Lateral compartment. Either way, all structures of the joint come into view at one stage during the procedure. In any surgical procedure there is an element of risk, whether that be failure of the procedure to be effective or the occurrence of post operative complications. In arthroscopy, there are risks associated with each part of the procedure.