Arthroscopic lavage

"Lavage" means 'washing'. To lavage a joint means to wash out any blood, fluid or loose debris from inside the joint space.

Arthroscopic lavage is generally combined with arthroscopic debridement, where fronds of joint material or degenerative tissue are removed using a combination of injected fluid and a small vacuum, i.e. both washing (rinsing) and sucking. 'Arthroscopic' means that this is done using a tiny incision at the joint, where a thin arthroscope is pushed into the joint to visualise the structures.

Excessive growth of irritated synovial membrane causes it to increase its surface area by buckling into fronds, and the fronds may become inflamed and pour destructive enzymes into the joint space, causing joint swelling and joint surface destruction. Removing this excessive material via lavage frequently resolves arthritic knee inflammation or pain.

Arthroscopic lavage is a minor part of an armamentarium of procedures which are now available to help reverse the damage of early arthritis. There is, however, controversy about the value of simple lavage and debridement for the older patient with established osteoarthritis.