Q: My father, aged 64 years, has been suffering from pain in left knee joint for the past one year. Recently, the doctor advised an MRI which revealed - Grade-II/III mucoid degeneration; tear of medial and lateral menisci and partial tear of ACL; joint effusion (inflammatory) and erosive osteoarthropathy changes. Seeing this report, the doctor has advised arthroscopy. I would like to know the exact nature of his problem? To what extent will arthroscopy help? What is the right treatment keeping in view the MRI report? Please advise.

A:There is no role of arthroscopy in a case like this. This is age related degeneration and is only likely to become worse. The only treatment at present could be injections of cortisone in the joint and physiotherapy. Such joints eventually require replacement, if they get bad enough.