The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality and inconsistency.
A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 7 studies with a total of 567 subjects. Three trials examined arthroscopic joint lavage, two non-arthroscopic joint lavage and two tidal irrigation. Little evidence for a benefit of joint lavage in terms of pain relief was found at three months (SMD -0.11, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.21), corresponding to a difference in pain scores between joint lavage and control of 0.3 cm on a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS). Results for improvement in function at three months were similar (SMD -0.10, 95% CI -0.30 to 0.11), corresponding to a difference in function scores between joint lavage and control of 0.2 cm on a WOMAC disability sub-scale from 0 to 10. For pain, estimates of effect sizes varied to some degree depending on the type of lavage, but this variation was likely to be explained by differences in the credibility of control interventions: trials using sham interventions to closely mimic the process of joint lavage showed a null-effect. Reporting on adverse events and drop out rates was unsatisfactory.
Date of latest search: 2009-08-02
Primary/Secondary Keywords