Orthopedics
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Ankle arthroscopy has rapidly become an important diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. Currently, indications for operative arthroscopy include transchondral talar dome fractures, acute articular fractures with hemarthrosis, posttraumatic synovitis, loose bodies, inflammatory synovitis, degenerative joint disease, and soft tissue impingement. Diagnostic arthroscopy is indicated for the patient with a chronically painful, symptomatic ankle when nonoperative treatment has failed and other measures have failed to produce a diagnosis. ⋯ The use of lasers in arthroscopy has yet to be clearly defined. The small size of the laser is an advantage in the ankle, but cost remains a disadvantage. Advances in technique and equipment will continue to expand the indications for this procedure.
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Arthroscopy is a valuable technique used by the majority of orthopedic surgeons in practice. Complications in arthroscopy have been compiled on a formal basis since 1983. Several studies on complications are reviewed and summarized. ⋯ The most frequent type of complication encountered in arthroscopic surgery is hemarthrosis. The procedure with the highest complication rate is the lateral retinacular release. Technical considerations are discussed which would be useful in lessening the incidence of complications in arthroscopy.