The invention relates to a holding apparatus (1), in particular a holding arm and/or a tripod, for medical purposes, having a proximal end (2) for attaching the holding apparatus (1) to a base, and having a distal end (4) for receiving an add-on device (6)； at least one first and one second arm segment (12, 14), wherein the first arm segment (12) is connected to a first joint (13) and the second arm segment (14) is connected to a second joint (15), wherein each joint (13, 15) is releasable and lockable； an operating means (50) for releasing and/or locking the corresponding joint (13, 15) for putting the holding apparatus (1) into a desired pose； and a first display unit (34, 100, 200, 250), which is arranged on the first joint (13), and a second display unit (36, 100, 200, 252), which is arranged on the second joint (15). According to the invention, the first and/or second display unit (34, 36, 100, 200, 250, 252) is configured to display at least one status of the holding apparatus (1) and/or an add-on device (6) that is different from the release and/or locking of the corresponding joint (13, 15). The invention further relates to a method.
