Arthroscopic debridement is effective in providing relief and sustained benefits in patients with early degenerative knees who failed to respond to conservative treatment methods, according to a study published in the 'Asia-Pacific Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation and Technology'.

The use of arthroscopic debridement is controversial in patients with painful degenerative knees. Previous research studies have shown that arthroscopic surgery for knee OA is not beneficial to optimizing physical and medical therapies. Limited studies have explored the management approaches for a subgroup of patients who are poor candidates for knee replacement surgery and who remain refractory to maximal conservative treatment.

Gin Way Law et al. and colleagues performed a retrospective, single-surgeon study in 169 patients with mechanical symptoms affecting their daily lives and who had undergone knee debridement after the failure of optimized physical and medical therapy of 2 months. The study outcomes included the assessment of functional improvement and severity of knee OA. The severity of knee OA was evaluated using Kellgren-Lawrence classification whereas functional and satisfaction scores were determined using a numeric pain rating scale, Oxford Knee Score, Short Form-36, Koos Knee Survey and questions adapted from the North American Spine Society Questionnaire.

The study results indicated improvement in functional outcomes and patient satisfaction in the majority of patients over the follow-up timeframe of 2–8 years. Kellgren Lawrence score was 2.02. Significant improvements were seen across all scoring systems when compared to pre-operative scores. Good to excellent reports were reported in 90% of patients. The findings of the study indicated that arthroscopic debridement was safe and effective in patients refractory to non-operative treatment.