By Amy Orciari Herman
Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH
Arthroscopic surgery appears no better than nonoperative treatments in patients with degenerative meniscal tears without osteoarthritis, according to a meta-analysis in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The analysis included seven randomized trials in which some 800 patients with degenerative meniscal tears and mild or no osteoarthritis were assigned to undergo either arthroscopic meniscal debridement or nonoperative treatment (for example, exercise programs, steroid injections, or sham surgery). Arthroscopic surgery appeared to offer no meaningful benefit over the other treatments in terms of pain or function within 6 months or 2 years.
The authors conclude that "a trial of nonoperative management should be the first-line treatment" in this patient population.
Link(s):
CMAJ article (Free abstract)
Background: NEJM Journal Watch General Medicine summary on arthroscopic surgery vs. sham surgery in such patients (Your NEJM Journal Watch registration required)
