The Conversion Rate of Arthroscopy to Total Joint Arthroplasty in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

The efficacy of knee arthroscopy in the treatment of osteoarthritis has been questioned during the last years by many studies, which demonstrated its lack of effect. The aim of our review was to summarize recent data published in the scientific literature upon the conversion rate from arthroscopy to total arthroplasty in patients with knee osteoarthritis. We conducted a search of scientific articles discussing the association between arthroscopy and total knee arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis, using PubMed/Medline databases. The following parameters were evaluated: age and gender distribution of the patients, indications for arthroscopy, conversion to arthroplasty, time interval between the two procedures. We concluded that the current literature underlines the poor efficacy of arthroscopy for degenerative meniscus and cartilaginous pathology. The high rate of progression to knee arthroplasty, especially among older patients with comorbidities should determine specialists to evaluate the risks and benefits associated with arthroscopic surgery in these cases.