26 Dec Sham Surgery as Effective as Meniscectomy for Degenerative Knee Mensicus Tear
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Raine Sihvonen, M.D.
From the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology
Hatanpää City Hospital, Tampere Finland
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Järvinen: The main finding of the study is that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy
is not superior over sham-surgery (placebo) when treated patients with knee
pain attributable to degenerative meniscus tear, even in the
`best-case-scenario, that is patients with no knee OA.
MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Järvinen: The fact that meniscectomy was found to be no better than sham even 0 to
6 six months postoperatively.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Järvinen: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy should not be offered to middle-aged
patients with degenerative knee disease, that is non-traumatic knee pain.
Middle-aged patients with non-traumatic knee pain, should not seek after
surgery, but rather do muscle exercise.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Järvinen: The possible benefit of partial meniscectomy should be investigated
among patients with a clear traumatic onset of symptoms.
Citation:
Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy versus Sham Surgery for a Degenerative
Meniscal Tear
N Engl J Med 2013; 369:2515-2524
December 26, 2013DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1305189
Last Updated on December 26, 2013 by Marie Benz MD FAAD