Knee Articular Cartilage Debridement in Conjunction With Partial Meniscectomy

Inclusion Criteria:Screening * Age between 18 and 60 years * BMI \<35 * Meniscal tear (medial or lateral) diagnosed by H+P exam and/or imaging in the index knee * No severe joint space narrowing (IKDC Classification) seen on weight-bearing AP X-ray in the index knee * No avascular necrosis in the index knee as evidenced by preop MRI obtained within 6 months prior to randomization * No Varus (\>10 degrees) or Valgus (\>15 degrees)knee deformities as seen by AP X-ray in the index knee * Minimal or no abnormality of contralateral knee as shown by clinical exam and/or imaging * Candidate for unilateral arthroscopic treatment of the knee * Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score of 30 mm or greater in the index knee at the time of screening * Must be able to undergo MRI at required time points per appendix D * Physically and mentally willing and able to comply with study requirements * Must be willing and able to follow the standardized rehabilitation protocol (Appendix C) * Subject must sign IRB approved informed consent form Arthroscopy Inclusion Criteria: * Arthroscopic confirmation of ICRS Grade II or III chondral lesion on the medial or lateral femoral condyle Exclusion Criteria: Screening * Knee instability, malalignment, or patellar tracking dysfunction in the index knee * Inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis or other systemic inflammatory arthritis in the index knee or contralateral knee * Previous total meniscectomy in the index knee * Previous surgical treatment of the index knee by arthroscopy less than 2 years prior to treatment by this study * Previous total meniscectomy * Previous knee tendon and/or ligament repair or patellar surgery of index knee * Previous microfracture or bone marrow stimulation of the index knee * Previous unsuccessful osteotomy in the index knee * Presence of fractures, osteocysts or osteolysis in the index knee * Presence of osteoarthritis in the index knee * Pre-existent osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints (e.g. hips or contralateral knee) that adversely affects gait * Participation in another clinical study * Terminally ill * Drug therapy for the index knee with systemic steroid therapy, steroid intra-articular therapy or intra-articular hyaluronic acid therapy within 2 months of enrollment into this study * Receiving narcotic pain medication by prescription for other conditions unrelated to knee injury * Contralateral knee involvement causing abnormal ambulation and non-compliance with rehabilitation * Pregnant or suspected pregnant * Coagulation disorder or patient is receiving anti-coagulants, which cannot be safely stopped for 14 days (7 days prior to surgery and 7 days post-surgery) Arthroscopy Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of Grade IV chondromalacia anywhere in the index knee * ACL, PCL or MCL tear of the index knee * Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)of the index knee * Meniscal tear requiring total meniscectomy * Evidence of osteoarthritis in the index knee