Arthroscopic treatment of synovial disorders in the shoulder, elbow, and ankle.

A wide range of synovial conditions can affect patient function and often respond to conservative treatment. However, when symptoms do not respond, arthroscopic synovectomy is a useful tool for management. Pigmented villonodular synovitis, synovial chondromatosis, rheumatoid arthritis, adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, and ankle impingement are the diseases that most often require synovectomy. Arthroscopic management offers the following advantages over open synovectomy: a more thorough evaluation of the joint and synovium, better access for surgical synovectomy, and decreased postoperative morbidity.