The past and the future of arthroscopy

Abstract

Already in the early 19th century, first trials were published about using instruments which could bring light into a human cavity and study any pathology. From candle light via gasoline to Edisons light bulb, a steady improvement of the illumination could be achieved. The endoscopy of joints started in the beginning of the 20th century with the Danish Nordentoft, who gave this procedure also its current name: arthroscopy. At the beginning only few surgeons believed in this new technology, most opposed to it having no chance in the future. In Japan, this technique was taken more seiously with Takai and Watanabe as the leading surgeons in their country. Better scopes had been developed by them, allowing finally also operative removal of loose bodies and menisci. In the 1970’s visibility was improved with the invention of fiber optics and television technology. All joints could finally be scoped, the morbidity of open joint surgery declined dramatically when arthroscopic techniques were used. In the future further improvement may come up using 3-dimensionell visualization. Virtual-Reality-Arthroscopic-Traingings-simulator, ay facilitate and improve worshop efficiancy.