Abstract
There are few reports about the arthroscopic lavage of RA knees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative results of arthroscopic lavage for RA knees. Forty six knee joints of 32 RA patients were included in this study. The average age at surgery was 60.5 years old (range, 22 to 83), the average follow-up time was 46 months (range, 12 to 98) . The X-ray grade by Larsen's criteria immediately before surgery, any joint effusion and joint pain were analyzed. For one year after surgery, all patients, who had been evaluated at Larsen grade 0 or 1, were assessed as having satisfactory results (regarding joint effusion and joint pain) . However, the results were unsatisfactory in cases which had been Larsen grade 2 or 3. The good effectiveness and duration for joint effusion and pain were achieved in patients who were lavaged with 10L in comparison with 3L. Arthroscopic lavage for RA knee is useful as a time saving operation before considering TKA.
