The Role Of Arthroscopic Knee Lavage In The Management Of Knee Osteoarthritis
The osteoarthritis of the knee affects millions, causing daily pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. At N K Aggarwal Joints and Spine Centre, patients often seek alternatives to knee replacement surgery.
One option that garners interest is a minimally invasive technique designed to clean the knee joint—arthroscopic lavage. But does it truly work? Let’s explore its role, effectiveness, and the perspective of our orthopedic surgeon in Ludhiana, who approaches this advanced treatment with clarity and precision.
What is arthroscopic knee lavage?
Arthroscopic lavage involves the use of a small cannula with or without the camera (arthroscope) to wash the debris, other wear & tear products, pro-inflammatory enzymes and excess fluid from the knee joint. It is typically performed to reduce inflammation. After the knee lavage, during the same procedure, lubricant and orthobiologic injections are also given. This helps manage knee pain, without knee replacement surgery. Along with this ozone can also be injected into the knee joint to add to anti-inflammatory effect of other injectables.
Is it effective for osteoarthritis?
Arthroscopic knee lavage along with other injectables, can be a valuable option for people with osteoarthritis. By gently removing loose debris, reducing inflammation and restoring a cleaner joint environment, it can help patients feel lighter and more mobile. Other remedies such as lubricant (visco supplementation) injections, Ortho biological injections such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), growth factor concenterates (GFC), stem cell concentrations, and ozone therapy can also form part of the treatment. Together, these approaches nourish the joint, increase flexibility, reduce discomfort, stimulate restoration of damaged joint surfaces and help maintain an active lifestyle for a long time. This often allows patients to enjoy better quality of life and delay the need for joint replacement surgery and in many cases,it could help avoid knee replacement surgery, if the treatment is started early.
Who can benefit?
This procedure may offer relief in very specific scenarios:
- Patients in the early/moderate stages of osteoarthritis
- Younger individuals with mild symptoms
- Cases involving loose bodies within the joint
- Patients who are unfit for surgery
- Patients who do not want to take the risks of surgery
- Patients who want to retain the natural joint for as long as possible
If the treatment is started early, combination treatment along with systemic treatment, has the potential to help avoid knee replacement surgery. However if the osteoarthritis is already well advanced, it can help postpone knee replacement surgery. In such cases, any malalignment/deformity would also need to be corrected, with or without surgery.
Risk to consider
Arthroscopic lavage is a minimum risk procedure. Very rarely, complications if at all occur, may include some inflammation, bleeding, or infection. The risk of these complications can also be significantly reduced with proper patient selection, some simple precautions and by maintaining surgical sterility.
Our reliable, non-surgical approach in Ludhiana at N K Aggarwal Joints and Spine Centre focuses on the treatment of knee pain without knee replacement. Through structured physiotherapy, advanced injections, bracing, and lifestyle modifications. We help patients avoid unnecessary interventions and regain their quality of life—guided by one of the top orthopedic surgeons in Ludhiana.
Conclusion
While arthroscopic lavage has a role in osteoarthritis cases of the knee. It is not a magic solution, but in combinations with other measures, it can surely improve quality of life, help avoid or postpone knee replacement surgery. Our center emphasizes evidence-based, patient-first care, ensuring the correct treatment at the right time—without rushing to knee replacement.
Source of information:
· Uthraraj NS, et al. Arthroscopic Debridement and Lavage for Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Cureus. 2022.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9771083/
· Hempfling H. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid after knee arthroscopy: a two-year study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2007.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17187274/
· Nie L-Y, et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7930657/
· de Jesus CCL, et al. Ozone therapy for knee osteoarthritis: Double-blind randomized clinical trial. PLOS One. 2017.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0179185
· Wang X, et al. Ozone therapy after arthroscopic surgery for knee osteoarthritis. Exp Ther Med. 2018.
https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/etm.2018.6101