Short-term benefit of arthroscopic washout in degenerative arthritis of the knee

Over a 4-year period, 55 consecutive knee arthroscopies were performed on 5 4 patients with symptomatic mild to moderate osteoarthritis. There were 30 female patients and the average patient age was 60.9 years. The average fol low-up period was 29.6 months. All patients underwent diagnostic arthroscop y and washout. Further procedures including removal of loose bodies and par tial meniscal resection were necessary in 19 patients. There were no signif icant postoperative complications. Thirty-seven patients had subjective imp rovement in symptoms. The average duration of benefit was 25.5 months. Arth roscopy and appropriate debridement of the degenerative knee results in sig nificant subjective improvement. This relatively minor procedure can delay or indeed obviate the need for reconstructive surgery.