Is there a place for arthroscopy in the degenerative knee

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent chronic joint disorder. Traditional surgical procedures that address the arthritic knee involve bone re-alignment such as high tibial osteotomy or resurfacing by total knee arthroplasty and unicompartmental arthroplasty. Arthroscopic treatment could be an option in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee. Arthroscopic management of the osteoarthritic knee has become popular; this is due at least in part to the fact that the more complex surgical alternatives require longer recovery periods, are more costly, and are associated with greater morbidity. Although the primary goal of arthroscopic surgery is to provide pain relief, one of the benefits of this minimally invasive approach is that it enables patients to continue their regular activities and to delay.