Arthroscopic retrieval of sewing needle fragments from the knees of 3 children

Penetrating knee joint injuries are less common in children than adults. Foreign bodies that penetrate into the knee joint often mimic septic arthritis and synovitis. In the management of such cases, rheumatological tests, medical imaging, and finally arthroscopy are essential. We present 3 children who presented to our ED with broken sewing needles (home-use variety) in their knee joints. By history, these incidents occurred while playing indoors. Clinical findings were similar to those of acute septic arthritis. Patients were treated successfully by arthroscopic surgery and were symptom-free at follow-up several months later.