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The principle and entrance of arthroscopy

Released on Apr. 13, 2022

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive examination and treatment method. It is to open a small hole on the joint surface, put the arthroscopic device into the joint, complete the inspection of the basic structure in the joint, and detect whether there is cartilage in the joint. Lesion, whether there is meniscus injury, synovitis, loose body, ligament injury, etc., after the lesion is determined, it can also be adjuvant treatment with minimally invasive devices.

The basic structure of arthroscope: arthroscope lens, endoscope camera, endoscope camera host, medical cold light source, light guide, medical monitor, image storage equipment, etc. In addition, there should be some basic equipment such as planing system, plasma system and blue forceps.

The principle of arthroscopy: an arthroscope with an endoscopic camera system and a medical cold light source is placed in the joint space during the operation, so that the situation in the joint is transmitted to the medical monitor through the endoscopic camera, and the medical treatment is observed through the medical monitor. In the case of lesions in the joints, if lesions are found, surgical instruments are placed in the holes to remove the lesions or perform joint cleaning.

Arthroscope Entry:

Standard Portals: Standard portals for diagnostic arthroscopy are anterolateral, anteromedial, posteromedial, and lateral superior.

(1) Anterolateral entrance: It is located 1 cm on the lateral joint line and 0.5 cm lateral to the patellar tendon. Almost all structures in the joint can be seen, but the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the posterior cruciate ligament cannot be seen.

(2) Anterior medial entrance: 1 cm on the medial joint line and 0.5 cm medial to the patellar tendon, used to place instruments, probe the medial compartment and observe the lateral compartment.

(3) Posterior medial entrance: It is located in the triangular depression between the posterior medial edge of the femur and the posterior medial edge of the tibia. The posterior angle of the medial meniscus and the posterior cruciate ligament can be observed.

(4) Lateral superior entrance: on the lateral side of the rectus femoris, at 2.5 cm above the upper border of the lateral superior angle of the patella, it is used for diagnostic observation of the dynamic condition of the patellofemoral joint.

Choose an entrance:

(1) Posterior lateral entrance: flex the knee 90°, at the junction of the lateral knee joint line with the posterior border of the iliotibial band and the anterior border of the biceps femoris.

(2) Central medial or lateral entrance of the patella: located at the medial and lateral borders of the transverse line at the widest central part of the patella.

(3) Auxiliary inner and outer entrances: 2.5cm inside and outside of the standard front inner and front outer entrances.

(4) Median population of the patellar tendon: lcm in the inferior pole of the patella, central to the patellar tendon.

Arthroscopy is suitable for meniscal injury, anterior and posterior cruciate ligament rupture, articular cartilage injury, intra-articular loose bodies (also known as joint mice), osteoarthritis, inflammatory joints, pigmented villonodular synovitis, crystalline joints Diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, including infectious arthritis and traumatic arthritis.