In U.K, thousands of people suffer from osteoarthritis in knee, which can be painful for the patients. Some of the UK surgeons were still carrying out the operation, against national guidance, which is not beneficial for the patients .New England Journal of medicine study showed surgeons were misguided who still relying on the operation technique.

According to a Canadian doctor, after surgery there is no difference in the symptoms of a patient. Physiotherapy and painkillers provide the same result.  
 
University of Western Ontario has conducted a trial. For this trial 178 men and women at an average age of 60 were enrolled. All the participants were from London and Canada. All the patients were given physiotherapy and painkiller such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen , Along with that 86%patients also received surgery consisting of lavage and debridement.  

Patients reported their improvement conditions at various points like joint pain ,stiffness and function but there were not any additional benefit to them who had the operation.

One of the researcher, Dr Brian Feagan, said: "This is definitive evidence that arthroscopic surgery provides no additional therapeutic value when added to physical therapy and medication for patients with moderate osteoarthritis of the knee."

“National Institute For health and Clinical Excellence” formulates UK guidelines: The surgery is not recommended for moderate osteoarthritis but in some other knee condition  this surgery is recommended when the knee is “ locked” in position.

Patients still have some other treatment. For short term relief they can take medicine like Tylenol, Advil and Motrin. Physiotherapy may also provide relief. For long term relief they may benefit from biological response modifiers such as remicade, enbral, nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and asprin.