Arthroscopic lavage is the washing out or cleaning out the contents (blood, fluid or loose debris) inside a joint space.
Lavage is a general term referring to the therapeutic washing, cleaning or rinsing.
Removing this excess material via lavage frequently resolves arthritic knee inflammation or pain.
[3] Needle lavage should not be used in an attempt to treat persons seeking long-term relief for symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee.
[4] The use of this treatment in this case has not been shown to decrease pain, stiffness, tenderness, or swelling, or to increase 50-foot walking time or body function.