Orthopedics / 05.05.2026
NEJM: Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy Provided No Benefit Over Placebo Surgery and May Worsen Longterm Outcomes
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Dr. Järvinen[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Teppo Järvinen MD PhD
Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
University of Helsinki, HUS
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) is one of the most frequently performed orthopedic procedures worldwide, particularly for middle-aged and older patients with knee pain and a degenerative meniscal tear.
Over the past 15–20 years, multiple randomized trials have questioned the effectiveness of this procedure, showing no meaningful benefit compared with non-operative care (typically, exercise or physical therapy) or even placebo (sham) surgery in the short to medium term.
Our study reports the 10-year follow-up of the FIDELITY trial, a randomized, placebo-surgery controlled trial.
Dr. Järvinen[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Teppo Järvinen MD PhD
Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
University of Helsinki, HUS
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) is one of the most frequently performed orthopedic procedures worldwide, particularly for middle-aged and older patients with knee pain and a degenerative meniscal tear.
Over the past 15–20 years, multiple randomized trials have questioned the effectiveness of this procedure, showing no meaningful benefit compared with non-operative care (typically, exercise or physical therapy) or even placebo (sham) surgery in the short to medium term.
Our study reports the 10-year follow-up of the FIDELITY trial, a randomized, placebo-surgery controlled trial.