Arthroscopy Results Might Be Equivalent for Degenerative and Traumatic Meniscal Tears

And arthroscopic intervention might not benefit patients with either kind of tear.

Although arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is performed commonly, recent trials show that sham arthroscopy plus exercise yields results similar to arthroscopy for patients with degenerative meniscal tears (NEJM JW Gen Med Feb 15 2014 and N Engl J Med 2013; 369:2515; NEJM JW Gen Med Sep 1 2016 and BMJ 2016; 354:3740). However, the common presumption is that surgery benefits patients with traumatic tears more than patients with degenerative tears. In a prospective observational study, Danish researchers evaluated whether arthroscopy for traumatic meniscal tears provides more benefit than does arthroscopy for degenerative tears.

Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated for 141 patients with traumatic tears and 256 with degenerative tears who un…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Arthroscopy Results Might Be Equivalent for Degenerative and Traumatic Meniscal Tears

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