Degenerative Meniscal Tear Clinical Trial
Official title:
The Effect of Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy or Exercise Therapy as Treatment of Degenerative Meniscus Tears in Middle-aged Patients. A Randomized, Controlled Trial
This study is conducted as a collaboration between NAR, Orthopedic Department, Oslo
University Hospital,Ullevaal, Hjelp24Nimi Oslo, Norway, and University of Southern Denmark,
Odense, Denmark.
The investigators hypothesize that exercise is more effective than arthroscopic partial
meniscectomy: a) on self-reported outcomes, functional performance and muscle strength in
middle-aged patients subsequent to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for a degenerative
meniscus tear, and b) in preventing further development of knee osteoarthritis (OA).
The aims of the study are:
1. At 3 months, to investigate the effect of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus
exercise therapy on muscle strength and knee function in middle-aged patients with
degenerative meniscus lesions.
2. At 2 years, to investigate the effect of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus
exercise therapy on self-reported outcomes in middle aged patients with degenerative
meniscus lesions.
3. At 5 years, to describe radiographic changes in knee osteoarthritis development after
arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or exercise therapy in middle-aged patients with
degenerative meniscus lesions.
Patients included in the study will be randomized into one of two groups. The interventions
are: arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and supervised neuromuscular- and strength training.
Subjects will be tested before and after intervention, at 12 months, 24 months and finally
at five years.
;
Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment