Imaging Abnormalities After Arthroscopic Meniscectomy

In patients with knee osteoarthritis and meniscal tears, cartilage damage was more advanced after meniscectomy than after physical therapy alone.

Osteoarthritis (OA) and meniscal tears often coexist in patients with knee pain who are not yet candidates for total knee replacement. Some of these patients undergo arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, but observational data suggest that meniscectomy can hasten progression of OA. To examine this concern further, researchers conducted this substudy of data from the previously published METEOR trial, in which patients with knee OA and meniscal tears were randomized to physical therapy alone or physical therapy plus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (NEJM JW Gen Med Mar 15 2020 and Arthritis Rheumatol 2020; 72:273). In both treatment groups, MRI findings at baseline were compared with findings at 18 months.

Patients in both groups had substantia…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

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Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Imaging Abnormalities After Arthroscopic Meniscectomy

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Reviewing Author