Arthroscopic management of the degenerative knee.

Out of a total 551 arthroscopic procedures for degenerative arthritis of the knee, 441 were studied at 2-8 years following their procedure. Sixty-eight percent of patients had at least 2 years or more relief of pain and symptoms. Fifty-three percent were still good at follow-up of 4.1 years. The best results were obtained after resection of an unstable flap tear of a meniscus in association with mild degenerative arthritis. The worst results were obtained in patients with bicondylar disease and in the presence of chondrocalcinosis. The results were much better in the normally aligned knee; the valgus knee did worst. Repeated arthroscopic procedures have a much lower success rate.

[1]  R. B. Salisbury,et al.  The effect of alignment on results in arthroscopic debridement of the degenerative knee. , 1985, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[2]  C. Berasi,et al.  Preliminary Results with Abrasion Arthroplasty in the Osteoarthritic Knee , 1984, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[3]  N. F. Sprague.  Arthroscopic debridement for degenerative knee joint disease. , 1981, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[4]  R. Burks.  Arthroscopy and degenerative arthritis of the knee: a review of the literature. , 1990, Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association.