60 patients with grade III articular cartilage defects of the medial femoral condyle were randomly assigned to medial meniscectomy with either debridement of articular cartilage using a mechanical shaver (mechanical shaver debridement [MSD] group), or thermal chondroplasty using a temperature controlled bipolar device (radiofrequency-based chondroplasty [RFC] group). Results at 4 years postoperative indicated the RFC group attained a superior Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and required fewer revisions compared to MSD. Thus, bipolar radiofrequency appears superior to mechanical debridement for achieving a good midterm result.