[Possibilities of arthroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].

Arthroscopy is a technique that can be used in rheumatoid arthritis, regarding for indications with diagnostic purposes--synovial membrane macroscore and biopsy with following histological examination. Changes in the synovium in rheumatoid arthritis are localized in the lateral and anterior parts of the knee, where hyperemia, rheumatoid pannus growth, hypertrophic clavate villus are often seen. It also can be used for therapeutic purposes--synovectomy in combination with flushing of the knee. After the arthroscopy with debridment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, pain syndrome, swelling and the amount of effusion in the joint is significantly reduced or eliminated, amplitude of movements increases, functional activity of the limbs restores.