title: Practical aspects of foot and ankle arthroscopy.
abstract: Arthroscopy of the foot and ankle, although sometimes technically challenging, is a useful tool for the foot and ankle surgeon. Burman in 1931 was the first to attempt arthoscopy of the ankle joint and surmised that it was not a suitable joint for arthroscopy because of its narrow intra-articular space. With the development of smaller-diameter arthroscopes and improvements in joint distraction techniques, Watanabe was the first to present a series of 28 ankle arthroscopes in 1972. At present, arthroscopy is used not only to evaluate and treat intra-articular abnormalities but also for endoscopic and tendoscopic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Podiatry, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Mountain View, CA 94040, USA. Jenninm1@pamf.org
authors.forename: Meagan M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Samantha E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Bark
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020679:Arthroscopes; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D033023:Foot Joints / Q000601:surgery; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D011032:Podiatry / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016683:Supine Position; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome