All meniscal tears need surgery 🤔🔪🔪🔪🔪 ???
ANSWER: FICTION
In a recent meta-analysis (multiple studies combined), Kise and colleagues concluded that a small but inconsequential benefit is seen from treatment interventions that involve arthroscopy.
However, this small effect is of short duration and absent one year post surgery. Only 1 in 5 randomised controlled trials found greater pain relief 12 months after partial meniscectomy compared with non-surgical treatment! Further, the supervised exercise therapy showed positive effects over surgery group in improving thigh muscle strength, at least in the short term🙌
If you do NOT have mechanical symptoms (locking specifically), these results should encourage individuals with degenerative meniscal tears and no definitive radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis to consider supervised exercise therapy as a treatment option. Translation: Get strong and get moving under the care of a skilled physio like us at Praxis 💪🏃!
If your knee pain is holding you back, put a spring back into your step with Praxis Physio. We can accurately diagnose your issues, highlight where we can help, and get back on the path to improved function. To make a booking, call (07) 3102 3337 or book online
#praxisphysio #kneepain #meniscus #mensicaltear #preventprepareperform #praxiswhatyoupreach #praxisblog #degenerativemeniscus #evidencebasedpractice
Reference
Kise N, et al. Exercise therapy versus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for degenerative meniscal tear in middle aged patients: randomised controlled trial with two year follow-up. Br J Sports Med. 2016.