Arthrotomy versus arthroscopy in the treatment of septic arthritis of the knee in adults: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of treatment and functional recovery of patients diagnosed with septic arthritis of the knee submitted to two surgical techniques: conventional arthrotomy and arthroscopic approach for debridement.

Method: In this prospective clinical study, all adult patients diagnosed with knee pyoarthritis in a 15-month period at a philanthropic hospital in Brazil were randomized into two groups: one group submitted to arthrotomy and the other to arthroscopy. The protocols of antibiotic therapy, physical therapy and postoperative assessment were standardized in both groups.