Lavage

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

Lavage is a procedure where the joint is washed out with a saline solution to remove loose debris, usually from disintegration of joint cartilage.

Illustration of arthroscopic surgery where a light source is passed into the knee cavity, and instruments inserted via a different portal to deal with the issue.
Surgeon irrigating the knee during arthroscopy.

Irrigation fluid enters the knee through the arthroscopic equiment, under modest pressure.

Arthroscopic lavage

Lavage is generally performed during knee arthroscopy with the patient under general anaesthesia, but can be done via wide-bore needle in the knee (under local anaesthetic).

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Arthroscopic debridement

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