Home > News > March, 2013
Is Knee Surgery Necessary?
Study sees similar outcomes from meniscal surgery, physical therapy.
Published:March 20, 2013
Arthroscopic meniscectomy holds out the promise of a quick and minimally invasive fix for injured knees, but a new multi-center study questions whether its outcomes are any better than basic physical therapy.
For the study, published online in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers from 7 universities and orthopedic surgical centers observed the cases of 351 patients aged 45 and older who suffered from meniscus tears and osteoarthritic knees.
Some of the patients underwent surgery to repair the injuries, followed by post-operative physical therapy. Others undertook a regimen of physical therapy and exercise. When researchers evaluated the patients 6 months after treatment began, they didn't find a significant difference in the 2 groups' average functional improvement or pain scores.
"Both are very good choices," said lead author Jeffrey N. Katz, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and the Harvard Medical School. But "it would be quite reasonable to try physical therapy first because the chances are quite good that you'll do quite well."
An accompanying editorial pointed out that patients who first seek the non-operative therapy route may spare themselves the risks and costs of surgery.
© Copyright Herrin Publishing Partners LP. REPRODUCTION OF THIS COPYRIGHTED CONTENT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. We encourage LINKING to this content; view our linking policy here
Also in the News...
Does Your Insurer Have to Pay to Defend You?
Stark Violations Might Cost Tuomey Healthcare System $357M
Tech Walks Out on Surgical Case, Sues Hospital for Firing Him
N.J. Considering Cosmetic Surgery Site Limits
Colonoscopy Co-Pays are Covered, With a Catch
How Are Compounder Recalls Affecting You?
How Did a Routine Endoscopy Result in Brain Damage?
© Copyright Herrin Publishing Partners LP. REPRODUCTION OF THIS COPYRIGHTED CONTENT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. We encourage LINKING to this content; view our linking policy here
|
