SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF KNEE WASHOUT FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS

Twenty-nine knees in 23 patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis under went washout with lactated Ringer's solution. Two arthroscopic cannula s were placed into the knee under local anesthetic. Three liters of fl uid were run through the knee using varying inflow and outflow to alte rnately inflate and deflate the knee. We obtained Hospital for Special Surgery knee scores, Knee Society pain and function ratings, and visu al analog pain scales before washout and up to 2 years after washout. At 1 year, the mean Hospital for Special Surgery score increased from 72 to 87, the Knee Society pain rating from 64 to 89, and the Knee Soc iety function rating from 62 to 82. Twenty-five knees had a good or ex cellent result at 1 year. Twenty-one of these were observed at 2 years ; 17 had good or excellent results. This study confirms the value of a fluid washout in an arthritic knee for some patients. This may explai n some of the symptom rei ief seen with arthroscopic procedures in thi s condition.