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Many studies suggest that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is no more effective than nonsurgical treatments for alleviating knee pain in patients with degenerative meniscal tears (NEJM JW Gen Med Oct 1 2014 and CMAJ 2014; 186:1057). In this randomized trial, researchers compared exercise therapy alone with arthroscopic surgery alone in 140 patients (mean age, 50) with unilateral knee pain for >2 months and medial degenerative meniscal tears; most patients had no radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (OA). The exercise group performed progressive strengthening exercises during supervised sessions (2 or 3 times weekly for 12 weeks); arthroscopy patients followed standard postoperative routines and were given instructions for simple daily r…