Knee Surgery vs Physical Therapy for Osteoarthritis
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
There are two cartilage structures, called menisci, in each knee joint. A torn meniscus can be caused by a traumatic injury or aging-related degeneration. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of another type of cartilage that covers the end of bones within a joint. In people who have knee OA, a meniscal tear can easily lead to disability. This study will compare the effectiveness of two recommended treatments, surgery and physical therapy, for people with a torn meniscus and knee OA.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems that managing OA symptoms with medications is part of the inclusion criteria, so you may be able to continue them.
Is knee surgery or physical therapy safe for treating osteoarthritis?
Both knee surgery (arthroscopic partial meniscectomy) and physical therapy have been studied for safety in humans. The METEOR trial found that physical therapy is a safe initial treatment for knee issues related to osteoarthritis, and delaying surgery does not harm long-term outcomes. No major safety concerns were highlighted in the studies reviewed.12345
How does knee surgery differ from physical therapy for osteoarthritis?
Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing damaged parts of the meniscus in the knee, which can provide immediate relief from pain and improve joint function. In contrast, standard physical therapy focuses on exercises and techniques to strengthen muscles around the knee, improve flexibility, and reduce pain over time without surgery.678910
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment for knee osteoarthritis?
Research suggests that physical therapy can be an effective initial treatment for knee osteoarthritis with a torn meniscus, as surgery is not always necessary and delaying it does not worsen outcomes. Additionally, patients with certain types of meniscal tears may benefit from physical therapy over surgery.1341112
Who Is on the Research Team?
Jeffrey N Katz, MD
Principal Investigator
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for people with a specific knee problem where the cushioning cartilage (meniscus) is torn and they also have osteoarthritis. They must have had symptoms for at least a month, tried some treatments like meds or physical therapy, and be okay with being randomly assigned to treatment groups. People can't join if they've had previous knee surgery on the affected leg, are pregnant, have certain other joint diseases or severe arthritis needing total knee replacement.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants are randomly assigned to either undergo APM surgery followed by physical therapy or receive standard physical therapy for 8 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment with regular visits and questionnaires
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Arthroscopic partial menisectomy
- Postoperative rehabilitative physical therapy
- Standard physical therapy
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Lead Sponsor