At the recent Australian Knee Society Meeting in October 2017 the Society’s guide to treatment of degenerate and atraumatic meniscal tears was released. This document explains very nicely the current understanding of treatment for these common injuries. It is quite clear that knee arthroscopy for osteoarthritis alone is not ( and never has been) an appropriate treatment. Knee arthroscopy for meniscal tears in elderly patients with no history of injury, no locking or severe mechanical symptoms with no chance of repair is usually not necessary as first line treatment with physiotherapy being more appropriate. This does not mean that knee arthroscopy however is not a good operation and it still has many indications. Young patients, patients with a history of injury, meniscal tears that are repairable, locked or locking knees, loose bodies and many other conditions are excellent reasons for knee arthroscopy. If a patient fails to respond to an initial physiotherapy programme then Knee arthroscopy may be appropriate.
