Prospective Trial of Arthroscopic Meniscectomy for Degenerative Meniscus Tears
Completed · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Meniscus Tear
In brief
Arthroscopic meniscectomy is among the most commonly performed orthopedic surgical procedures in the VA system. There remains substantial uncertainty, however, regarding the short term benefits and the long term consequences of arthroscopic meniscectomy in patients with degenerative meniscus tears. Of major concern is the fact that degenerative meniscus tears are associated with osteoarthritis, and it is known that within two years of surgery, arthroscopic debridement for osteoarthritis is no better than placebo in relieving pain and restoring function. Longer term, meniscectomy has been shown to be associated with elevated risk of osteoarthritis development, raising the concern that meniscectomy can actually be harmful. The purpose of this study is to determine whether meniscectomy in the setting of a degenerative meniscus tear is of any clinical value. Determining this would either justify the expenses associated with arthroscopic meniscectomy on a large number of patients, or would identify an area of significant potential cost savings.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT01931735
- Run by
- VA Office of Research and Development
- People needed
- 27
- Starts
- 2013-10-01
- Expected to finish
- 2018-01-31
- Last updated by the study team
- 2018-11-21
Who can join
Age: 45 and older, up to 70. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Veteran
- Age between 45 and 70 years
- Degenerative meniscus tear as seen on standard clinical MRI scan
- Complaint of "mechanical symptoms" which would include popping, catching, or locking of the knee
- Persistent symptoms for a minimum of three months despite conservative management
- Patient is enrolled for arthroscopic meniscectomy
- Subject agrees to the study follow-up schedule and signs informed consent.
You may not qualify if…
- Radiographic osteoarthritis of the knee in any compartment greater than KL grade 2
- Prior knee arthroscopy within two years of study enrollment
- Unable to have an MRI scan
- Does not agree to participate
Where it is running
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA — Palo Alto, California, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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