Arthroscopic Surgery for Degenerative Knee Disease Isn't Better than Conservative Therapies

An expert panel recommends against arthroscopic surgery in nearly all patients with degenerative knee disease.

Sponsoring Organization: BMJ Rapid Recommendations — a collaboration between the nonprofit MAGIC group and the BMJ

Target Audience: Clinicians who refer patients with degenerative knee pain and orthopedists

Background

Many studies show that conservative therapy, including physical therapy, is not inferior to arthroscopy for patients with knee osteoarthritis (e.g., NEJM JW Gen Med Aug 1 2015 and BMJ 2015; 350:274). For this report, investigators reviewed 13 randomized, controlled trials and 12 observational studies in which arthroscopic surgery was compared with conservative management (including sham surgery) in patients with degenerative knee disease. Degenerative knee disease was defined as persistent knee pain, with or without osteoarthriti…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Arthroscopic Surgery for Degenerative Knee Disease Isn't Better than Conservative Therapies

Topics

Background

Reviewing Author