SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DISTAL BEARING ASSEMBLY

A surgical instrument comprises an outer tubular member having a proximal section, a distal section, a central lumen and defining an irrigation pathway. The surgical instrument further comprises an inner tubular member rotatably received within the central lumen, a distal end of the inner tubular member forming a cutting member extending distally beyond, and exposed relative to, the distal section. The irrigation pathway is not in fluid communication with the inner tubular member; and the surgical instrument further comprises a bearing assembly positioned at the distal section of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member so as to allow rotation of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member about a central axis of the distal section. The bearing assembly contacts the cutting member to limit axial movement of the cutting member; wherein the bearing assembly is in fluid communication with the irrigation pathway.