A study done by Canadian researchers (published in the September ‘08 New England Journal of Medicine) concluded that undergoing arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee will not help you any more than conservative treatment using medicine and physical therapy. Research done in 2002 came to this same conclusion but was not widely accepted. The surgery continues to be common practice.

Osteoarthritis of the knee involves degeneration of the joint. It can result in joint pain, stiffness, and limited function. The causes include chronic inflammation, trauma, hereditary or congenital factors, obesity, infection, and other processes still under investigation. It generally is age-related.

Arthroscopic surgery involves inserting a long scope with an attached camera into the joint. Instruments can be inserted through the scope to "clean up" any loose bodies or overgrowth of bone caused by the degenerative process. Cartilage can also sometimes be repaired or removed.

The January 1999–August 2007 research was a controlled, randomized study of 178 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, average age 60. Half received arthroscopic surgery, medication, and physical therapy. The other half received medication and physical therapy with no surgical intervention.

After two years of regular follow-up, both groups showed the same amount of improvement in symptoms and function. The study concluded that "arthroscopic surgery provides no additional benefit to optimized physical and medical therapy."

Arthroscopic surgery is still valid in some situations [e.g., certain meniscal tears ("torn cartilage")]. However, the routine use of arthroscopy for osteoarthritis may become a thing of the past. For severe osteoarthritis of the knee, total knee replacement is the treatment of choice. 

For further information, refer to "A Randomized Trial of Arthroscopic Surgery for Osteoarthritis of the Knee," Kirkley, A MD; Birmingham, T PhD; Litchfield, R MD; Giffin, J MD; Willits, K MD; Wong, C MSc; Feagan, B MD; Donner, A PhD; Griffin, S CSS; D'Ascanio, L BScN; Pope, J MD; Fowler, P MD; New England Journal of Medicine, Sept. 11, 2008, Vol. 359, No. 11.

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See Acupuncture for Arthritis Pain Relief to learn about pain-relief techniques for arthritis.