Role of arthroscopic surgery in patients aged 60 years and more with degenerative knee

Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative disease of the synovial joints that causes pain and limitation of range of motion. Surgery is an effective treatment method for this when conservative treatment is ineffective. Arthroscopy is one of the surgical methods that is controversial for degenerative knees. This study aimed to find the efficacy of arthroscopy in patients aged 60 years and more with degenerative knees.
A total of 27 patients (16 women and 11 men), aged 60 years and more, operated between 2012 and 2015, in whom conservative treatment for 3 months was ineffective before surgery, were enrolled. These patients had osteoarthritis according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria and a Kellgren–Lawrence Osteoarthritis Index score of less than 4. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index of patients before and after arthroscopy were compared by age, gender, and complications.
The average Kellgren–Lawrence Index was 2.4. The average VAS score was 8 before surgery and 4.1 after surgery, indicating an almost 50% improvement in pain. The average WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index was 40.7% before surgery and 25.5% after surgery. No complications were observed after surgery. The preoperative and postoperative VAS and WOMAC values were significant. Both the described pain and osteoarthritis of the patients were partially recovered after arthroscopic surgery.
In conclusion, arthroscopy treated functions that increased pain and mechanical symptoms and hence was beneficial in appropriately selected degenerative knees.