190 patients undergoing partial meniscectomy during which chondral lesions were identified were randomized to either debridement or no debridement of the chondral lesions. Patients were followed up for 12 months postoperatively for clinical scores related to pain, function, and quality of life. At 12 months, no significant differences between groups were observed for the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS), a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and the Short Form 36-Item General Health Survey (SF-36).