Abstract
The result of arthroscopic synovectomy in 68 knees of 36 patients with chronic syno-vitis of rheumatoid arthritis were reviewed. The short term result of this procedure was rather good and almost 60% were good or excellent at two years follow up. There was a statistically significant difference of the postoperative improvement between the patients whose preoperative activity of the disease was high and low. Compared to open synovectomy, the arthroscopic synovectomy has several advantages as follows. Lessor damage, easier rehabilitaion and shorter hospitalization. If the remission of the symptom is temporary, the arthroscopic synovectomy will be useful for the patients to prevent joint destruction. So this procedure seems to be indi-cated not only in the patients who can be controlled systemically by medical therapy, but also in those who cannot be controlled medically.
