Functional outcome of arthroscopic joint debridement in osteoarthritis knee patients, performed in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south Kerala: A prospective study

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint ailment characterized by persistent pain, functional impairment, articular cartilage loss, synovial membrane inflammation, and bone alterations. It ranks as a leading cause of knee joint pain in India, significantly affecting daily activities. Traditional treatments, including analgesics, physiotherapy, and corticosteroid injections, offer short-lived symptomatic relief. However, the utilization of arthroscopic joint debridement through techniques such as lavage, micro fracture, meniscal and cartilage debridement, as well as osteophyte and loose body removal, demonstrates the potential for enduring and enhanced symptomatic alleviation. This study endeavors to substantiate the efficacy of arthroscopic knee debridement in delivering substantial symptomatic relief by evaluating pre- and post-surgical “International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC)” score and “Visual Analog Scale (VAS)” score.