[Measuring intraosseous pressure and osseous venography of the patella in anterior knee pain. Part II].

"Anterior knee pain" is a rather meaningless term used for various forms of knee joint discomfort. Failure of venous drainage increasing intraosseous venous pressure is a cause that has hardly been considered hitherto. When exploratory surgery is performed to explain unknown anterior knee pain intraosseous venous pressure of the patella can be measured very easily during arthroscopy. Intraosseous venous pressure of the patella in patients with anterior knee pain was consistently documented higher than reported in the literature. There was a significant relationship between intraosseous venous pressure and number of veins. Intraarticular damage of cartilage did not correlate with intraosseous pressure. Drill holes in the patella reduced intraosseous pressure, as documented in an animal model. From June 1988 to October 1989 measurements and phlebographies of the patella were taken in 46 patients. Intraosseous venous pressure of 25 mmHg was considered normal. Among 46 patients treated with drill holes in the patella, six patients improved and had no symptoms following surgery. None of the patients was worse after surgery.