Here are some interesting knee scope pictures. 
This is the under surface of the patella or knee cap.  Above the metal instrument, you can see a small bare spot in the joint cartilage.  This is arthritis that occurs over time.  It is a wear and tear process that causes the cartilage to thin out a wear away as we age.  Such is life.

Another view of the arthritis.

This is the medial joint space.  Here you can see the torn meniscus cartilage at the end of the gold color metal probe.  Above the probe and the meniscus is the joint cartilage.  There are 2 type of cartilage in the knee: meniscus cartilage and joint cartilage.  They both have different functions in protecting our knees.  Joint cartilage covers the end of the bone and is the cushion we walk on between the bone surfaces.  The meniscus cartilage functions as a shock absorber and stabilizer of the joint. 

Here you can see both a meniscus tear and arthritis of the joint.  Arthritis is a break down or wearing away of the joint cartilage.

The probe is on the arthritic joint surface.

Arthritis medial femoral condyle.

The torn meniscus has been removed.  The arthritis on the joint surface cannot be cleaned and trimmed further.  This may continue to bother the patient over time.  The pain from the meniscus tear will resolve.  If there is pain from arthritis, there are other options to help this patient.

Meniscus tear removed.  Arthritis remains.  This is the best that can be done arthroscopically for arthritis of the knee.

This is the other side of the joint: lateral.  Notice the degenerative meniscus.  It is shredded at the inner margin.  There is no significant arthritis here on the joint surface.

Lateral joint.  Degenerative meniscus.  No arthritis.

Notice the probe on the shredded meniscus edge.
Shredded meniscus edge.  No arthritis.
In a case like this, the pain from the meniscus tear on the medial side will resolve after surgery since the torn flap has been removed.  The pain from the arthritis may persist.  It can then be treated with other options: anti-inflammatories, therapy, viscosupplementation, other surgery as a last option.


Thanks,

JTM, MD