Arthroscopic surgery

The first examination of a knee joint was in 1918 by the Japanese surgeon Takagi. Since this first attempt at joint space surgery, numerous advances have been made in arthroscopic design, video imaging, instrumentation, and the adoption of laser energy devices. As a result, diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopy is currently performed in every major joint space in the body. Recently, clinical investigators have begun exploring the potential of endoscopic examination of small joint spaces, such as the temporomandibular joint. Also on the horizon are scopes and instruments to intervene therapeutically in the spinal canal.