Arthroscopic debridement of knee joint arthritis: effect of advancing articular degeneration.

To determine the relationship between intraoperative findings and outcome of arthroscopic debridement for degenerative joint disease of the knee, data from 56 arthroscopies were analyzed. At an average follow-up of 49 months (range, 24 months to 63 months), results were good in 38 (68%) and poor in 18 (32%). No statistically significant relationship could be shown between the outcome and the presence of loose bodies, meniscal tears, or fat pad abnormalities. The presence of severe (grade IV) chondromalacia was associated with subsequent surgery, and when the medial compartment was involved, the likelihood of a poor outcome increased significantly. The likelihood of a successful outcome of arthroscopic treatment of degenerative joint disease of the knee is significantly and directly related to the condition of the articular cartilage.