The 45 degrees arthroscope: A forgotten scope in knee surgery

The majority of knee arthroscopic procedures are performed with 30° scope while the 70° arthroscope is mainly used for surgery of posterior compartments. In the arthroscopic armamentarium, another scope, unknown to many surgeons, is also available: the 45° arthroscope. His field of view provides a wider intraoperative view than that of a 30° scope without the characteristic blind spot of a 70° scope. Therefore, the surgeon's orientation is not compromised. because the optic has always an element of forward vision. With these advantages, the 45° scope can be used in all knee surgical procedures without the need for having two scopes sterilized on the surgical table with less risk of contamination and less surgical time. The 45° scope may also be valuable for the arthroscopic surgery of other joints with the same advantages.