The Effects of Arthroscopic Joint Debridement in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients Over the Age of Sixty

Objective: The effects of arthroscopic joint debridement (AJD) on patients aged sixty or above who had symptoms of osteoarthritis according to functional status, pain levels and patient satisfaction were evaluated in the short- and mid-term. Materials and Methods: Between 2006 and 2011, 80 patients aged 60 or above who had undergone AJD and partial menisectomy were evaluated retrospectively. Lysholm knee score (LKS) and visual analogue score (VAS) were compared pre- and postoperatively. Patient satisfaction status was evaluated by visual analogue patient satisfaction scale (VAPSS). Results: Pre-and postoperative average LKS were 61.01±8.77 and 70.91±9.13, respectively. The increase in the average LKS after AJD was statistically significant (p 0.01). Pre-and postoperative VAS values were found to be 4±0.6 and 2.6±1.1 respectively. The decrease in the average VAS value after AJD was statistically significant (p 0.01). The average value of VAPSS was 6.2±2.1. Total knee arthroplasty was performed in four patients whose symptoms did not improve after AJD. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) developed in two patients after AJD. Conclusion: AJD increases the activity level of patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis in short- and mid-term follow-up.