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Surgery for Persistent Knee Pain? Not So Fast
PRACTICE CHANGER
Do not refer patients with a degenerative medial meniscus tear for arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, because surgery outcomes are no better than those of conservative treatment.1
Strength of recommendation
B: Based on a single high-quality randomized controlled trial.1
Illustrative case
A 40-year-old man comes to your office for follow-up of medial left knee pain he’s had for three months that hasn’t responded to conservative treatment. The pain developed gradually, without a history of trauma. The patient has no signs of degenerative joint disease on x-ray, but MRI reveals a tear of the medial meniscus. Should you refer him for meniscectomy?
Study summary>>
Patients and doctors alike tend to look for a treatment that will “fix” the problem, which may be why we have continued to use arthroscopic partial meniscectomy to attempt to relieve symptoms of meniscal tears despite a lack of evidence to support the practice.
Guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons state that the evidence for medial meniscectomy in patients with a torn meniscus and osteoarthritis (OA) is inconclusive; the organization offers no guidelines for patients with a torn meniscus who don’t have OA.2 The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine states that there is insufficient evidence to support arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for symptomatic, torn medial menisci for select patients and “the vast majority of patients [with medial meniscal tears] do not require surgery.”3 Previous studies have concluded that arthroscopic surgery for OA of the knee provides no additional benefit to optimized physical and medical therapy.4 Furthermore, research by Katz et al5 shows that meniscectomy provides no benefit over conservative treatment in functional status at six months in patients with OA and a medial meniscal tear.
That said, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is still the most common orthopedic procedure in the United States.1 Although its use has decreased in the past 15 years, it is performed nearly 700,000 times annually at a cost of approximately $4 billion.1,6,7 Like any surgical procedure, meniscectomy carries a risk for complications. In the double-blind, randomized trial reported on here, Sihvonen et al1 compared meniscectomy to a sham procedure for patients with knee pain but not OA.
STUDY SUMMARY
Meniscectomy and shamsurgery are equally effective
Sihvonen et al1 conducted a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial at five orthopedic clinics in Finland. Patients ages 35 to 65 were enrolled if they had clinical findings of a medial meniscus tear and knee pain for more than three months that wasn’t relieved by conservative treatment. The trial excluded patients who had an obvious traumatic onset of symptoms; clinical or radiologic evidence of knee OA; a locked knee that could not be straightened; knee instability or decreased range of motion; previous surgery on the affected knee; fracture within the past 12 months on the affected limb; or other notable pathology on MRI or during arthroscopy.
Before randomization, 160 patients underwent diagnostic arthroscopy. Fourteen patients were excluded: six because they did not actually have a medial meniscal tear, one because he also had a lateral meniscus tear, three due to a major chondral flap, two who had already undergone meniscal repair, and two due to an osteochondral microfracture.
At the end of the diagnostic arthroscopy, each patient was blindly randomized to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or sham surgery. To simulate the meniscectomy procedure, the surgeon similarly manipulated the knee, made comparable noise and vibration using tools and suction, and ensured that the patient was kept in the operating room (OR) for a comparable time. Only the orthopedic surgeon and OR staff were aware of which surgery the patient underwent, and these staff members were not included in further treatment or follow-up. After the procedure, all patients received the same walking aids and instructions for a graduated exercise program.
The 70 patients in the meniscectomy group and the 76 in the sham surgery group were similar in age (mean: 52 years), sex, BMI, and duration of pain (mean: 10 months). Patients in both groups also had similar tears noted on arthroscopy.
Three primary outcomes were measured before surgery and at 12 months: knee pain, knee symptoms and function, and quality of life (QoL). Knee pain after exercise was evaluated on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no pain. The validated Lysholm knee score was used to assess knee symptoms and function, and the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) was utilized to evaluate QoL; both are 100-point scales in which lower scores indicate more severe symptoms.
Both groups had marked improvement in pain and function from baseline to 12 months, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Knee pain scores improved by 3.1 points in the meniscectomy group and 3.3 points in the sham surgery group. Lysholm symptom and function scores improved 21.7 points in the meniscectomy group and 23.3 points in the sham surgery group (a change of 11.5 points would have been considered clinically significant). The mean between-group difference was –1.6 points.
WOMET QoL scores improved 24.6 points in the meniscectomy group and 27.1 points in the sham surgery group (a change of 15.5 points would have been considered clinically significant). The mean between-group difference was –2.5 points.
There were no significant between-group differences in serious adverse events or number of patients who required subsequent knee surgery. Similar proportions in each group thought they had sham surgery, which confirmed the effectiveness of the blinding. Ninety-six percent of patients in the sham procedure group and 93% in the meniscectomy group reported they would be willing to repeat the procedure.
What's new and challenges to implementation >>
WHAT’S NEW
Recommend physical therapy, exercise instead of surgery
Previous studies of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy to treat degenerative meniscal tears in patients with knee OA found no benefit.6,8 This study specifically examined patients without OA and found arthroscopic partial meniscectomy offered no benefit over sham surgery.
In addition to fewer referrals for meniscectomy, these findings could lead to another change in practice: Clinicians may be less likely to order MRI to confirm the diagnosis of a medial meniscal tear, since doing so will not change their therapeutic approach. This approach centers on recommending that patients with a degenerative meniscal tear start and stick with physical therapy and their designated exercise regimen.
CAVEATS
Surgery might be effective for more active patients
This study, as well as previous research, did not look at surgery for an acute medial meniscus tear following a traumatic incident, such as a fall or direct blow. Additionally, these results are based on improved outcomes in activities of daily living, and may not extend to patients who engage in high-level functioning, such as sports or strenuous work. The sham surgery group received lavage, which could be considered an active treatment, although a previous trial found lavage had no benefit over conservative treatment in patients with knee OA.4
CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENTATION
It might be hard to convince patients they don’t need surgery
Some patients expect immediate intervention with surgery. It may be difficult to convince such patients that active participation in physical therapy can lead to the same outcomes as surgery. Spending time with your patient to explain the injury, what happens during surgery, and the evidence that shows a lack of difference in outcomes can lead to fewer surgeries. Most patients and clinicians will want to do an MRI after three months of persistent pain to determine the diagnosis, although some may be comfortable with continuing conservative treatment.
References
1. Sihvonen R, Paavola M, Malmivaara A, et al; Finnish Degenerative Meniscal Lesion Study (FIDELITY) Group. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus sham surgery for a degenerative meniscal tear. N Engl J Med. 2013; 369:2515-2524.
2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Evidence-Based Guideline. 2nd ed. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 2013.
3. Knee disorders. In: Hegmann KT, ed. Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines. Evaluation and Management of Common Health Problems and Functional Recovery in Workers. 3rd ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; 2011:1-503.
4. Kirkley A, Birmingham TB, Litchfield RB, et al. A randomized trial for arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 2008; 359:1097-1107.
5. Katz JN, Brophy RH, Chaisson CE, et al. Surgery versus physical therapy for a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med. 2013;368:1675-1684.
6. Cullen KA, Hall MJ, Golosinskiy A. Ambulatory surgery in the United States, 2006. Natl Health State Report. 2009;11:1-25.
7. Salzler MJ, Lin A, Miller CD, et al. Complications after arthroscopic knee surgery. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42:292-296.
8. Moseley JB, O’Malley K, Petersen NJ, et al. A controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 2002; 347:81-88.
Acknowledgement
The PURLs Surveillance System was supported in part by Grant Number UL1RR024999 from the National Center For Research Resources, a Clinical Translational Science Award to the University of Chicago. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center For Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.
Copyright © 2014. The Family Physicians Inquiries Network. All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission from the Family Physicians Inquiries Network and The Journal of Family Practice. 2014;63(9):534-536.
PRACTICE CHANGER
Do not refer patients with a degenerative medial meniscus tear for arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, because surgery outcomes are no better than those of conservative treatment.1
Strength of recommendation
B: Based on a single high-quality randomized controlled trial.1
Illustrative case
A 40-year-old man comes to your office for follow-up of medial left knee pain he’s had for three months that hasn’t responded to conservative treatment. The pain developed gradually, without a history of trauma. The patient has no signs of degenerative joint disease on x-ray, but MRI reveals a tear of the medial meniscus. Should you refer him for meniscectomy?
Study summary>>
Patients and doctors alike tend to look for a treatment that will “fix” the problem, which may be why we have continued to use arthroscopic partial meniscectomy to attempt to relieve symptoms of meniscal tears despite a lack of evidence to support the practice.
Guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons state that the evidence for medial meniscectomy in patients with a torn meniscus and osteoarthritis (OA) is inconclusive; the organization offers no guidelines for patients with a torn meniscus who don’t have OA.2 The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine states that there is insufficient evidence to support arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for symptomatic, torn medial menisci for select patients and “the vast majority of patients [with medial meniscal tears] do not require surgery.”3 Previous studies have concluded that arthroscopic surgery for OA of the knee provides no additional benefit to optimized physical and medical therapy.4 Furthermore, research by Katz et al5 shows that meniscectomy provides no benefit over conservative treatment in functional status at six months in patients with OA and a medial meniscal tear.
That said, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is still the most common orthopedic procedure in the United States.1 Although its use has decreased in the past 15 years, it is performed nearly 700,000 times annually at a cost of approximately $4 billion.1,6,7 Like any surgical procedure, meniscectomy carries a risk for complications. In the double-blind, randomized trial reported on here, Sihvonen et al1 compared meniscectomy to a sham procedure for patients with knee pain but not OA.
STUDY SUMMARY
Meniscectomy and shamsurgery are equally effective
Sihvonen et al1 conducted a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial at five orthopedic clinics in Finland. Patients ages 35 to 65 were enrolled if they had clinical findings of a medial meniscus tear and knee pain for more than three months that wasn’t relieved by conservative treatment. The trial excluded patients who had an obvious traumatic onset of symptoms; clinical or radiologic evidence of knee OA; a locked knee that could not be straightened; knee instability or decreased range of motion; previous surgery on the affected knee; fracture within the past 12 months on the affected limb; or other notable pathology on MRI or during arthroscopy.
Before randomization, 160 patients underwent diagnostic arthroscopy. Fourteen patients were excluded: six because they did not actually have a medial meniscal tear, one because he also had a lateral meniscus tear, three due to a major chondral flap, two who had already undergone meniscal repair, and two due to an osteochondral microfracture.
At the end of the diagnostic arthroscopy, each patient was blindly randomized to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or sham surgery. To simulate the meniscectomy procedure, the surgeon similarly manipulated the knee, made comparable noise and vibration using tools and suction, and ensured that the patient was kept in the operating room (OR) for a comparable time. Only the orthopedic surgeon and OR staff were aware of which surgery the patient underwent, and these staff members were not included in further treatment or follow-up. After the procedure, all patients received the same walking aids and instructions for a graduated exercise program.
The 70 patients in the meniscectomy group and the 76 in the sham surgery group were similar in age (mean: 52 years), sex, BMI, and duration of pain (mean: 10 months). Patients in both groups also had similar tears noted on arthroscopy.
Three primary outcomes were measured before surgery and at 12 months: knee pain, knee symptoms and function, and quality of life (QoL). Knee pain after exercise was evaluated on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no pain. The validated Lysholm knee score was used to assess knee symptoms and function, and the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) was utilized to evaluate QoL; both are 100-point scales in which lower scores indicate more severe symptoms.
Both groups had marked improvement in pain and function from baseline to 12 months, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Knee pain scores improved by 3.1 points in the meniscectomy group and 3.3 points in the sham surgery group. Lysholm symptom and function scores improved 21.7 points in the meniscectomy group and 23.3 points in the sham surgery group (a change of 11.5 points would have been considered clinically significant). The mean between-group difference was –1.6 points.
WOMET QoL scores improved 24.6 points in the meniscectomy group and 27.1 points in the sham surgery group (a change of 15.5 points would have been considered clinically significant). The mean between-group difference was –2.5 points.
There were no significant between-group differences in serious adverse events or number of patients who required subsequent knee surgery. Similar proportions in each group thought they had sham surgery, which confirmed the effectiveness of the blinding. Ninety-six percent of patients in the sham procedure group and 93% in the meniscectomy group reported they would be willing to repeat the procedure.
What's new and challenges to implementation >>
WHAT’S NEW
Recommend physical therapy, exercise instead of surgery
Previous studies of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy to treat degenerative meniscal tears in patients with knee OA found no benefit.6,8 This study specifically examined patients without OA and found arthroscopic partial meniscectomy offered no benefit over sham surgery.
In addition to fewer referrals for meniscectomy, these findings could lead to another change in practice: Clinicians may be less likely to order MRI to confirm the diagnosis of a medial meniscal tear, since doing so will not change their therapeutic approach. This approach centers on recommending that patients with a degenerative meniscal tear start and stick with physical therapy and their designated exercise regimen.
CAVEATS
Surgery might be effective for more active patients
This study, as well as previous research, did not look at surgery for an acute medial meniscus tear following a traumatic incident, such as a fall or direct blow. Additionally, these results are based on improved outcomes in activities of daily living, and may not extend to patients who engage in high-level functioning, such as sports or strenuous work. The sham surgery group received lavage, which could be considered an active treatment, although a previous trial found lavage had no benefit over conservative treatment in patients with knee OA.4
CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENTATION
It might be hard to convince patients they don’t need surgery
Some patients expect immediate intervention with surgery. It may be difficult to convince such patients that active participation in physical therapy can lead to the same outcomes as surgery. Spending time with your patient to explain the injury, what happens during surgery, and the evidence that shows a lack of difference in outcomes can lead to fewer surgeries. Most patients and clinicians will want to do an MRI after three months of persistent pain to determine the diagnosis, although some may be comfortable with continuing conservative treatment.
References
1. Sihvonen R, Paavola M, Malmivaara A, et al; Finnish Degenerative Meniscal Lesion Study (FIDELITY) Group. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus sham surgery for a degenerative meniscal tear. N Engl J Med. 2013; 369:2515-2524.
2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Evidence-Based Guideline. 2nd ed. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 2013.
3. Knee disorders. In: Hegmann KT, ed. Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines. Evaluation and Management of Common Health Problems and Functional Recovery in Workers. 3rd ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; 2011:1-503.
4. Kirkley A, Birmingham TB, Litchfield RB, et al. A randomized trial for arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 2008; 359:1097-1107.
5. Katz JN, Brophy RH, Chaisson CE, et al. Surgery versus physical therapy for a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med. 2013;368:1675-1684.
6. Cullen KA, Hall MJ, Golosinskiy A. Ambulatory surgery in the United States, 2006. Natl Health State Report. 2009;11:1-25.
7. Salzler MJ, Lin A, Miller CD, et al. Complications after arthroscopic knee surgery. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42:292-296.
8. Moseley JB, O’Malley K, Petersen NJ, et al. A controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 2002; 347:81-88.
Acknowledgement
The PURLs Surveillance System was supported in part by Grant Number UL1RR024999 from the National Center For Research Resources, a Clinical Translational Science Award to the University of Chicago. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center For Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.
Copyright © 2014. The Family Physicians Inquiries Network. All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission from the Family Physicians Inquiries Network and The Journal of Family Practice. 2014;63(9):534-536.
PRACTICE CHANGER
Do not refer patients with a degenerative medial meniscus tear for arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, because surgery outcomes are no better than those of conservative treatment.1
Strength of recommendation
B: Based on a single high-quality randomized controlled trial.1
Illustrative case
A 40-year-old man comes to your office for follow-up of medial left knee pain he’s had for three months that hasn’t responded to conservative treatment. The pain developed gradually, without a history of trauma. The patient has no signs of degenerative joint disease on x-ray, but MRI reveals a tear of the medial meniscus. Should you refer him for meniscectomy?
Study summary>>
Patients and doctors alike tend to look for a treatment that will “fix” the problem, which may be why we have continued to use arthroscopic partial meniscectomy to attempt to relieve symptoms of meniscal tears despite a lack of evidence to support the practice.
Guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons state that the evidence for medial meniscectomy in patients with a torn meniscus and osteoarthritis (OA) is inconclusive; the organization offers no guidelines for patients with a torn meniscus who don’t have OA.2 The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine states that there is insufficient evidence to support arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for symptomatic, torn medial menisci for select patients and “the vast majority of patients [with medial meniscal tears] do not require surgery.”3 Previous studies have concluded that arthroscopic surgery for OA of the knee provides no additional benefit to optimized physical and medical therapy.4 Furthermore, research by Katz et al5 shows that meniscectomy provides no benefit over conservative treatment in functional status at six months in patients with OA and a medial meniscal tear.
That said, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is still the most common orthopedic procedure in the United States.1 Although its use has decreased in the past 15 years, it is performed nearly 700,000 times annually at a cost of approximately $4 billion.1,6,7 Like any surgical procedure, meniscectomy carries a risk for complications. In the double-blind, randomized trial reported on here, Sihvonen et al1 compared meniscectomy to a sham procedure for patients with knee pain but not OA.
STUDY SUMMARY
Meniscectomy and shamsurgery are equally effective
Sihvonen et al1 conducted a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial at five orthopedic clinics in Finland. Patients ages 35 to 65 were enrolled if they had clinical findings of a medial meniscus tear and knee pain for more than three months that wasn’t relieved by conservative treatment. The trial excluded patients who had an obvious traumatic onset of symptoms; clinical or radiologic evidence of knee OA; a locked knee that could not be straightened; knee instability or decreased range of motion; previous surgery on the affected knee; fracture within the past 12 months on the affected limb; or other notable pathology on MRI or during arthroscopy.
Before randomization, 160 patients underwent diagnostic arthroscopy. Fourteen patients were excluded: six because they did not actually have a medial meniscal tear, one because he also had a lateral meniscus tear, three due to a major chondral flap, two who had already undergone meniscal repair, and two due to an osteochondral microfracture.
At the end of the diagnostic arthroscopy, each patient was blindly randomized to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or sham surgery. To simulate the meniscectomy procedure, the surgeon similarly manipulated the knee, made comparable noise and vibration using tools and suction, and ensured that the patient was kept in the operating room (OR) for a comparable time. Only the orthopedic surgeon and OR staff were aware of which surgery the patient underwent, and these staff members were not included in further treatment or follow-up. After the procedure, all patients received the same walking aids and instructions for a graduated exercise program.
The 70 patients in the meniscectomy group and the 76 in the sham surgery group were similar in age (mean: 52 years), sex, BMI, and duration of pain (mean: 10 months). Patients in both groups also had similar tears noted on arthroscopy.
Three primary outcomes were measured before surgery and at 12 months: knee pain, knee symptoms and function, and quality of life (QoL). Knee pain after exercise was evaluated on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no pain. The validated Lysholm knee score was used to assess knee symptoms and function, and the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) was utilized to evaluate QoL; both are 100-point scales in which lower scores indicate more severe symptoms.
Both groups had marked improvement in pain and function from baseline to 12 months, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Knee pain scores improved by 3.1 points in the meniscectomy group and 3.3 points in the sham surgery group. Lysholm symptom and function scores improved 21.7 points in the meniscectomy group and 23.3 points in the sham surgery group (a change of 11.5 points would have been considered clinically significant). The mean between-group difference was –1.6 points.
WOMET QoL scores improved 24.6 points in the meniscectomy group and 27.1 points in the sham surgery group (a change of 15.5 points would have been considered clinically significant). The mean between-group difference was –2.5 points.
There were no significant between-group differences in serious adverse events or number of patients who required subsequent knee surgery. Similar proportions in each group thought they had sham surgery, which confirmed the effectiveness of the blinding. Ninety-six percent of patients in the sham procedure group and 93% in the meniscectomy group reported they would be willing to repeat the procedure.
What's new and challenges to implementation >>
WHAT’S NEW
Recommend physical therapy, exercise instead of surgery
Previous studies of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy to treat degenerative meniscal tears in patients with knee OA found no benefit.6,8 This study specifically examined patients without OA and found arthroscopic partial meniscectomy offered no benefit over sham surgery.
In addition to fewer referrals for meniscectomy, these findings could lead to another change in practice: Clinicians may be less likely to order MRI to confirm the diagnosis of a medial meniscal tear, since doing so will not change their therapeutic approach. This approach centers on recommending that patients with a degenerative meniscal tear start and stick with physical therapy and their designated exercise regimen.
CAVEATS
Surgery might be effective for more active patients
This study, as well as previous research, did not look at surgery for an acute medial meniscus tear following a traumatic incident, such as a fall or direct blow. Additionally, these results are based on improved outcomes in activities of daily living, and may not extend to patients who engage in high-level functioning, such as sports or strenuous work. The sham surgery group received lavage, which could be considered an active treatment, although a previous trial found lavage had no benefit over conservative treatment in patients with knee OA.4
CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENTATION
It might be hard to convince patients they don’t need surgery
Some patients expect immediate intervention with surgery. It may be difficult to convince such patients that active participation in physical therapy can lead to the same outcomes as surgery. Spending time with your patient to explain the injury, what happens during surgery, and the evidence that shows a lack of difference in outcomes can lead to fewer surgeries. Most patients and clinicians will want to do an MRI after three months of persistent pain to determine the diagnosis, although some may be comfortable with continuing conservative treatment.
References
1. Sihvonen R, Paavola M, Malmivaara A, et al; Finnish Degenerative Meniscal Lesion Study (FIDELITY) Group. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus sham surgery for a degenerative meniscal tear. N Engl J Med. 2013; 369:2515-2524.
2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Evidence-Based Guideline. 2nd ed. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 2013.
3. Knee disorders. In: Hegmann KT, ed. Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines. Evaluation and Management of Common Health Problems and Functional Recovery in Workers. 3rd ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; 2011:1-503.
4. Kirkley A, Birmingham TB, Litchfield RB, et al. A randomized trial for arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 2008; 359:1097-1107.
5. Katz JN, Brophy RH, Chaisson CE, et al. Surgery versus physical therapy for a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med. 2013;368:1675-1684.
6. Cullen KA, Hall MJ, Golosinskiy A. Ambulatory surgery in the United States, 2006. Natl Health State Report. 2009;11:1-25.
7. Salzler MJ, Lin A, Miller CD, et al. Complications after arthroscopic knee surgery. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42:292-296.
8. Moseley JB, O’Malley K, Petersen NJ, et al. A controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 2002; 347:81-88.
Acknowledgement
The PURLs Surveillance System was supported in part by Grant Number UL1RR024999 from the National Center For Research Resources, a Clinical Translational Science Award to the University of Chicago. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center For Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.
Copyright © 2014. The Family Physicians Inquiries Network. All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission from the Family Physicians Inquiries Network and The Journal of Family Practice. 2014;63(9):534-536.