Tidal Lavage vs. Sham Lavage for Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment

This study focuses on knee osteoarthritis, a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the knee joint. The main goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment called 'tidal lavage' compared to a 'sham lavage'. Tidal lavage involves cleaning out the knee joint with a saline solution. This research is important because it could potentially provide a new treatment option for people suffering from knee osteoarthritis, improving their quality of life. During the study, participants receive local anesthesia to numb the knee area. Those in the tidal lavage group have a catheter inserted into their knee, through which saline solution is repeatedly injected and then removed. This process is intended to clean out the knee joint. On the other hand, participants in the sham lavage group have a catheter placed near the knee, but the saline solution is not injected into the joint itself, only into the surrounding tissue. This is done to mimic the sensation of tidal lavage without actually performing the procedure. After the procedure, participants are asked about their perceived treatment and are followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months to assess their condition using arthritis-specific and global well-being questionnaires.