RESUMEN
An analysis of results of treatment of 38 patients with 40 degenerative injuries of the knee joint by arthroscopic arthroplasty shows clinical effectiveness of this method only in cases with light and medium degrees of gravity of the disease. The absence of clinical effects of the complex conservative treatment of patients with osteochondrosis and persistent painful syndrome, mechanical symptoms of disturbances in the joint, recurring synovitis can be considered as indications for arthroscopic operations. The probability of achievement of positive results of arthroscopic treatment is higher in patients with the I-III degrees of injuries of the cartilage and IV degree--with a full thickness defect of the articulation surface as big as 1 cm in diameter in one part of the knee joint and on one of the joining condyles.