Arthroscopic synovectomy of the knee is a surgical procedure involving the partial or complete removal of the diseased and enlarged synovial membrane. The purpose of this procedure is to eliminate inflammation in the joint by removing the synovium, which leads to the reduction of joint swelling and pain. The total rehabilitation time for the patient to fully heal and return to full activity after arthroscopic synovectomy is approximately 2 - 6 months.

The synovial membrane is a very delicate structure. As a result of previous knee injuries or various rheumatic diseases, i.e. rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, gout, lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis, or in tumors and tuberculosis, it may overgrow, thus increasing its secretory activity. This leads to an overproduction of synovial fluid with an abnormal chemical composition, so its value as a substance facilitating the glide of the articular surfaces and nourishing the articular cartilage is significantly reduced, which leads to generalized synovitis.

The indication for radioisotope synovectomy is exudative synovitis of the knee joint, which occurs, inter alia, in in the course of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis of the knee and recurrent exudative inflammation of the knee.