Abstract

CHICO CAPOTE, Araceli et al. Articular lavage by puncture versus arthroscopy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Rev cubana med [online]. 2004, vol.43, n.4. ISSN 0034-7523.

It is known that the articular lavage and débridement are options for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. A prospective, open and randomized study that included 100 patients with knee osteoarthritis (criterion of the American College of Rheumatology) at stages II and III of Kellgren and Lawrence was conducted to evaluate the usefulness and efficiency of the articular lavage by puncture compared with lavage and arthroscopic débridement. They were distributed into: group A (lavage by puncture) and group B (lavage and arthroscopic débridement). Variables related to pain and articular function that were analyzed at the beginning of the treatment and 90 days later, were considered. A statistical analysis was made by using Chi square test and Student's t test with a statistical significance of p<0.05. It was observed that both groups of patients improved in all the variables analyzed with the treatment variants.There were no statistically significant differences between one group and the other. Approximately 90 % of the cases felt satisfied with the procedure. No complications were reported. It was concluded that the articular lavage by puncture and the lavage and arthroscopic débridement proved to be useful for the relief of symptoms in patients with mild and moderate osteoarthritis after 3 months.

Keywords : Arthrosis; knee; arthroscopy; treatment.