Arthroscopy has general and specific indications. General indications: 1. Unclear clinical presentation of joint injury or disease that cannot be adequately clarified by clinical and paraclinical examination methods, including arthrography. 2. Unclear complaints after previous surgeries. 3. Objective assessment and monitoring of the effectiveness of a number of surgical interventions. Specific indications: 1. Meniscus injury - arthroscopy makes it possible to accurately determine the location of the injury, its nature, and determine the need for surgical intervention. In this case, deforming arthrosis develops significantly less frequently and progresses more slowly. 2. Ligament injury - arthroscopy often reveals damage to the cruciate ligaments with a "stable knee", and vice versa - the integrity of the ligaments with anterior or posterior instability of the knee joint. Arthroscopy makes it possible to choose the optimal surgical tactics. 3. Injury and disease of the synovial membrane - often accompanied by damage to the tibial collateral ligament. In this case, arthroscopy allows us to determine the extent of extra- or intra-articular surgical intervention. 4. Damage and disease of the articular cartilage - 20-25% of all knee joint injuries. They often cause the development of deforming arthrosis. Damage and disease of the articular cartilage are most often localized in the patellofemoral region of the knee joint - an area where diagnosis is most difficult. Arthroscopy plays a decisive role in the diagnosis and choice of treatment at the early stage of aseptic necrosis of the femoral condyles. 5. Damage and disease of the fat pad - chronic hyperplasia of the fat pad (Hoffa's disease) is more often observed in athletes with heavy loads on the knee joint, recently it is often observed in young women due to hormonal imbalances. 6. Deforming arthrosis - arthroscopy provides a clear picture of the altered joint, with the medial condyle of the bone mainly affected. Surgical removal of pathologically altered intra-articular tissues is followed by the creation of optimal conditions to prevent disease progression. 7. Rheumatoid arthritis - uneven changes in various areas of the joint and heterogeneity of lesions depending on its phase. Narrowing of the joint space, erosion of the articular surfaces, villous proliferation of the synovial membrane. Using a special device inserted through a trocar, the affected surfaces are leveled and the synovial membrane is removed. Therapeutic effects of arthroscopy: Typically, arthroscopy significantly reduces or eliminates pain, swelling, and joint effusion, increases range of motion, restores muscle function, and limb flexibility. The most pronounced positive changes are noted in patients with old and chronic damage to articular cartilage, chronic post-traumatic synovitis, deforming arthrosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Improvement in the general condition of patients and joint function after arthroscopy marks the beginning of disease remission for many months. This positive dynamic is explained by the removal of pathological synovial fluid containing so-called articular debris—fragments of articular cartilage of various sizes, fibrin films and threads, mucin clumps, etc. Joint irrigation during arthroscopy has a pronounced therapeutic effect in patients with deforming arthrosis and rheumatoid arthritis, as it relieves inflammation. Contraindications to arthroscopy: 1. Inability to administer anesthesia. 2. Acute and chronic infectious diseases, as well as a history of joint infections. During an exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis. 3. "Fibrous" ankylosis, joint contracture, and adhesions. Knee arthroscopy is possible if there are flexion movements in the joint with an amplitude of at least 60°. Postoperative period after arthroscopy: 1. Aseptic and fixing dressing with a pressure bandage. 2. Sometimes a posterior plaster splint for 2-3 days. 3. Isometric gymnastics of the paraarticular muscles from the first day. 4. Joint movements of more than 150° on the 6-7 day. 5. Graduated load on the 4-5 day. 6. Discharge from the hospital on the 1-2 day. 7. Duration of incapacity for work is 6-8 days.