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In a recent study, patients with coexisting meniscal tears and osteoarthritis who were treated with physical therapy alone or with arthroscopic repair followed by physical therapy had similar outcomes (NEJM JW Gen Med Mar 28 2013). Now, investigators in Finland have conducted a randomized trial in which nearly 150 patients (age range, 35–65) with knee pain consistent with nontraumatic meniscal tears and no osteoarthritis were assigned to either arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or sham arthroscopy. Patients were followed for 1 year. All patients underwent the same postoperative care, including a graduated exercise program.
During follow-up, both groups showed marked improvements in knee pain–related scores — after exercise and 12 months afte…