The role of debridement: through small portals

Arthroscopic debridement represents one option for treatment of the patient with degenerative arthritis of the knee. Numerous procedures, including joint lavage, removal of loose bodies, partial meniscectomy, and techniques to stimulate cartilage repair may be included under this topic. Understanding surgical indications and clinical results requires differentiation of these individual components where possible. Furthermore, it is important to note that degenerative changes present along a spectrum of involvement. However, despite patient heterogeneity, selective application of conservative debridement, partial meniscectomy and removal of mechanical irritants will result in improved midterm follow-up results in approximately two thirds of patients. Patient expectations are crucial, and the temporizing nature of the procedure must be understood.