[Arthroscopy as a diagnostic and surgical method]

The use of the arthroscopic technique has dramatically changed and still does the orthopedic surgery. Arthroscopy has developed as a diagnostic method, particularly in the knee joint. In 1970 the era of surgical arthroscopic procedure has begun, again on the knee joint. The possibilities of surgical arthroscopies of the knee are best described by L. L. Johnson when he said for fun, but today almost true, that practically all surgeries except that of the knee endoprosthesis may be done by means of arthroscopy or, if performed together with it, are much more better. Following arthroscopy in the knee, arthroscopies of other joints of the human body have developed in the same way, first the diagnostic and then the surgical one. Today, arthroscopy is being used even in the temporomandibular joint and those of the spine. However, arthroscopy is currently most usually applied in the knee, shoulder, elbow and upper leg joints. Although arthroscopy means in the literal sense looking into the joints, today it is not limited only to joints. We shall mention arthroscopy of the carpal canal of wrist. With the development of MRI the use of diagnostic arthroscopy will be certainly reduced, but the surgical arthroscopy will be subjected to further developments. The authors report on the experience of the Department of Orthopedics, Medical School University of Zagreb in applying diagnostic and surgical arthroscopies, stressing the basic understandings being significant for general practitioners.