One hundred and ninety patients undergoing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy with concurrent unstable chondral lesions were randomized to receive debridement (n=98) or observation (n=92). The primary outcome of interest was knee pain as measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scores. Secondary outcomes of interest were functional outcomes as measured by the WOMAC and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), pain as measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS), quality of life, physical measurements and radiographic findings. There were no significant differences between groups in WOMAC pain scores at 5 year follow-up. Similarly, there were no differences between groups in any of the secondary outcomes at five year follow-up.