Abstract: A surgical operating table particularly adapted for shoulder arthroscopy includes a central seat support, a leg support, and a back support modified to include detachable modular shoulder cutouts to gain access to the posterior aspect of the shoulder. The leg support and back support are hingedly connected to the seat support for positioning the patient in a sitting posture by operating mechanical crank arms. The patient is first supported in a supine position, anesthetized, secured to the table, and the table is thereafter configured to a sitting position. One of the modular shoulder cutouts is then removed to provide access to the shoulder upon which arthroscopy is to be performed.

Abstract: A method of providing a human knee model suitable for teaching operative arthroscopy includes the steps of modifying a bovine knee to render its appearance more human-like and to facilitate access to the interior of the knee joint, and encasing the modified knee joint with a synthetic fluid-impervious cover to allow for continuous irrigation of the knee joint. Lesions are created in the menisci of the knee, and loose bodies are added to the knee joint to simulate various injuries. To facilitate convenient replacement of the natural portion of the knee model, the bovine knee joint may be severed from the bovine femur and tibia bones closely adjacent the knee joint, and the thus severed knee joint may then be releasably secured to the lower and upper ends of synthetic, human-like femur and tibia bones, respectively.

Abstract: A method of providing a human knee model suitable for teaching operative arthroscopy includes the steps of modifying a bovine knee to render its appearance more human-like and to facilitate access to the interior of the knee joint, and encasing the modified knee joint with a synthetic fluid-impervious cover to allow for continuous irrigation of the knee joint. Lesions are created in the menisci of the knee, and loose bodies are added to the knee joint to simulate various injuries.