Knee Surgery May Not Be Helpful

Published Online: Sunday, September 1, 2002   [ Request Print ]

New findings show that arthroscopic lavage or debridement did not improve outcomes in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. A total of 180 patients were randomized to arthroscopic debridement, arthroscopic lavage, or placebo surgery. Neither debridement nor lavage was linked to less pain or better function at 1 year or 2 years, compared with placebo surgery.