The role of arthroscopy in diagnosing and treating early osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease commonly affecting the elderly but increasingly diagnosed in younger, active populations. Arthroscopy has been a significant advancement in minimally invasive surgical techniques, allowing for both diagnosis and treatment of joint pathologies. This review evaluates the role of arthroscopy in diagnosing and treating early-stage osteoarthritis, analyzing the efficacy of the procedure, complications, and patient outcomes based on an extensive review of existing literature. Despite mixed outcomes, arthroscopy remains relevant for specific subsets of OA patients, primarily for symptomatic relief. However, its use in routine OA management is questioned, with growing evidence favoring conservative treatments over surgical intervention.