Needle Arthroscopy vs Conventional Arthroscopy in Knees

This is a pilot randomized controlled trial will have 54 participants. The purpose of this study is to compare two surgical techniques to determine the differences in postoperative pain and early recovery in patients between 18-65 years old with simple knee pathologies including meniscal tear, chondral lesions, and loose bodies. Patient-reported outcomes and operative efficiency will be also compared. The two surgical techniques we are comparing are:

1. NanoScope™ Needle Arthroscopy for the affected knee 2. Conventional Arthroscopy for the affected knee Patients will be randomized pre-operatively but final eligibility will be confirmed intra-operatively.

The study assessors and data analysts will be blinded to the treatment group via limited access to surgical records and post-operative imaging. If patients consent to participate they will be asked to come to research visits at baseline (pre-operatively), at 2-weeks, 6-weeks, and 3-month post-operatively to complete a set of questionnaires including a demographic form, SANE score, IKDC Subjective, and the EQ-5D VAS Pain, Pain and Medication Logbook will be completed from the day of surgery until day 14, and a Rehabilitation Log will assess "Return to Activity/Work". A clinical assessment will include: Range of motion, effusion, and joint line tenderness.

A pre-operative X-ray and MRI will be collected as standard of care. Patients will be remunerated with a maximum of $160 if they come to all research visits.