ARTHROSCOPIC LAVAGE TREATMENT IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE

Objective. To assess the efficacy of outpatient arthroscopic lavage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of the knee. Methods. 9 patients with RA an d active synovitis of at least one knee were selected. All patients we re taking disease modifying antirheumatic drugs and nonsteroidal antii nflammatory drugs and had failed intraarticular corticosteroid injecti on of the knee. Using the 1.9 mm office arthroscope and strict sterile technique the affected knee was lavaged with at least 750 cc of norma l saline, At the end of the procedure 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide wa s injected through the arthroscope, Assessment was done at baseline an d 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the lavage using a visual analog scale for pain and 50 foot walk time. Results. 8 of the 9 patients showed marked improvement in their pain and walk time. This effect was maintained a t least 12 weeks after the procedure. Conclusion. Office arthroscopic lavage treatment is beneficial in a selected group of patients. This p rocedure is simple and well tolerated without major complications, and may be an option when more conservative therapies have failed.