Development of arthroscopy: contributions of Masaki Watanabe and Japan

The history of arthroscopy in Japan occupies a pivotal position in the global evolution of modern orthopaedic surgery. Its foundations were established by Kenji Takagi, who in 1918 became the first to visualize the knee joint cavity of a cadaver using a cystoscope. He subsequently developed a series of original arthroscopes, including models designed for clinical use and animal experimentation. His work demonstrated the feasibility of arthroscopy as a practical method for direct intra-articular visualization. This foundation was further advanced by Masaki Watanabe, who transformed arthroscopy from an experimental technique into a clinically applicable discipline. Watanabe developed improved arthroscopes suitable for routine practice, published the Atlas of Arthroscopy, and in 1962 performed the world's first arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. His subsequent innovations, including the Model-21 arthroscope and later refinements in arthroscopic innovations, established the technical foundation of modern arthroscopic surgery. Through the efforts of Takagi and Watanabe, Japan not only led the technical advancement of arthroscopy but also played a decisive role in its global dissemination. Consequently, the history of arthroscopy in Japan represents a landmark chapter in the worldwide development of minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery.