Several recent meta-analyses have culminated in clinical practice guidelines recommending against the use of arthroscopic debridement for the treatment of degenerative knee arthritis and meniscal tears in patients over the age of 35, as it appears there is no maintained benefit of arthroscopic surgery over conservative management (exercise therapy, injections, and drugs). However, this does not preclude the judicious use of arthroscopic surgery when indicated to manage symptomatic co-existing pathology in the presence of osteoarthritis or degeneration.
Sources:
Arthroscopy Association of Canada. Position Statement of Arthroscopy Association of Canada (AAC) Concerning Arthroscopy of the Knee Joint [Internet]. September 2017 [cited 2018 Feb].
Brignardello-Petersen R, et al. Knee arthroscopy versus conservative management in patients with degenerative knee disease: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2017 May 11;7(5):e016114. PMID: 28495819.
Khan M,et al. Arthroscopic surgery for degenerative tears of the meniscus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. CMAJ. 2014 Oct 7;186(14):1057-64. PMID: 25157057.
Laupattarakasem W, et al. Arthroscopic debridement for knee osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD005118. PMID: 18254069.
Thorlund JB, Juhl CB, Roos EM, Lohmander LS. Arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee: systematic review and meta-analysis of benefits and harms. BMJ. 2015 Jun 16;350:h2747. PMID: 26080045.
Siemieniuk RAC, et al. Arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee arthritis and meniscal tears: a clinical practice guideline. BMJ. 2017 May 10;357:j1982. PMID: 28490431.