Osteoarthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Osteoarthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

The use of arthroscopy in the athlete with knee osteoarthritis.

Calvert GT, Wright RW

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8233, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.

Arthroscopy is an important technique in the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of the athlete with osteoarthritis (OA). Reliability of the current classification systems improves with training and experience. Arthroscopy remains superior to imaging in the diagnosis of OA. Arthroscopic lavage and debridement provide benefit in a significant percentage of patients. The reasons for improvement are not fully defined. Arthroscopic treatment of OA is not curative, and results deteriorate with time. Variability in the use of medical management, arthroscopy, osteotomy, and arthroplasty remains among different practitioners. Indications for arthroscopy require further clarification based upon empiric evidence.

Published 7 January 2005 in Clin Sports Med, 24(1): 133-52.
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