Arthroscopic debridement for degenerative knee joint disease.

A series of 77 knees in 72 patients, ages ranging from 24 to 78 years (mean, 56 years), with moderate or severe degenerative arthritis, were treated by percutaneous debridement of the joint under arthroscopic visualization. Three per cent had a previous meniscectomy, and 81 percent had a tear of at least one meniscus. Additional pathologic problems included loose bodies in 21 percent, absent anterior cruciate ligaments in 13 percent, adhesions in 9 percent and chondrocalcinosis in 9 percent. Sixty-two patients with 68 knees were followed for at least six months, with a mean follow-up of 13.6 months. Subjectively, 84 percent of the patients were found to have a good or fair result. Complications were few and mild in nature, and there was little morbidity. Arthroscopic debridement of the knee joint is recommended as a useful therapeutic modality in many patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee.