This position statement was prepared in response to increased attention in the media and amongst health authorities as to the role of arthroscopy in knees with and without x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis (OA). While recognizing that there is a gap between scientific evidence and clinical practice, the purpose of this statement is to outline current best practice guidelines, taking into consideration the available evidence as well as the clinical knowledge of experienced surgeons. It is meant to be a guideline for the practice of arthroscopy while allowing for individual decision making by the surgeon and the patient after considering all risks and benefits of any procedure. The position statement was endorsed and approved by the COA Board of Directors in January 2018. Click below to see the full position statement in English or French. 

• ENGLISH:  Position Statement on Arthroscopy of the Knee Joint – AAC COA
• FRANÇAIS: Énoncé de position sur l’arthroscopie du genou – AAC ACO

The management of knee osteoarthritis and degenerative meniscal tears is multimodal. A key component to the non-operative management of these conditions involves intra-articular injection therapy. The injections available in Canada include: corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid (HA), platelet rich plasma (PRP), and stem cell injections including bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC). The Arthroscopy Association of Canada (AAC), and Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA) recently reviewed the most up to date evidence on the use of these injections.

See below for a brief synopsis of findings and recommendations, as well as the complete AAC position statement, with associated grades of recommendations and references.

• Synopsis Knee Injection Statement – Updated August 2020
• AAC Intra-articular Injections for Knee OA – Updated August 2020

• Please keep surveys as succinct and directed as possible. Surveys should take less than 10min to complete.
• Questionnaires that are designed primarily for personal, institutional, or medicolegal use will not be approved for distribution to the AAC membership.
• Only questionnaires aligning with the AAC Objectives will be considered.

• To encourage national collaboration and advancement of sports and arthroscopy research and education.
• To mobilize the knowledge gained through the Association’s research to contribute to the global advancement of arthroscopic surgery and improved patient outcomes.
• To provide a collaborative forum for orthopaedic surgeons in Canada whose practices have a substantial interest in the arthroscopic management of orthopaedic conditions.
• To facilitate and stimulate the academic and scientific exchange of ideas and thoughts between these individuals.
• To promote excellence in arthroscopic care in Canada by developing and disseminating evidence-based best practice guidelines and by developing and offering educational opportunities for orthopaedic surgeons, trainees, and the public.