Results of arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty in osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

This paper is a retrospective review of arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty plus debridement. This procedure was performed on 52 knees in 44 patients during the period January 1985 to June 1987 in the Sinagpore General Hospital. Follow-up period ranged from 3 to 27 months. All patients had moderate to severe degenerative osteoarthritis of the knees. Overall results were: 51%--improved; 23%--no change; 26%--worse. The results were better in the older age group and in those without significant deformity. There was improvement in 74% of the patients with normal alignment. Results were compared with those in world literature. Although results are encouraging, further research is required to reduce the proportion of patients with unsatisfactory results.