CompletedNot Applicable

Comparing Surgery Versus Standard Physical Therapy in Treating People With a Meniscal Tear and Osteoarthritis

United States351 participantsStarted 2008-05

Plain-language summary

There are two cartilage structures, called menisci, in each knee joint. A torn meniscus can be caused by a traumatic injury or aging-related degeneration. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of another type of cartilage that covers the end of bones within a joint. In people who have knee OA, a meniscal tear can easily lead to disability. This study will compare the effectiveness of two recommended treatments, surgery and physical therapy, for people with a torn meniscus and knee OA.

Who can participate

Age range

45 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * OA symptoms lasting at least 1 month and managed with medications, activity limitations, and/or physical therapy * At least one symptom consistent with a torn meniscus. Symptoms may include clicking, catching, popping, giving way, pain with pivot or torque, episodic pain, and/or pain that is acute and localized to one joint line. * Available knee X-ray (within 6 months) and MRI (within 3 years) * Evidence of osteophyte formation or cartilage fissure, tear, or loss on a knee MRI OR plain radiographic evidence of osteophyte formation or joint space narrowing * Evidence of a meniscal tear (tear extending to surface of meniscus) on a knee MRI * Willingness to undergo random assignment and sign an informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Chronically locked knee * Kellgren-Lawrence Grade IV status, indicating advanced OA and usually the need for total knee replacement * Contraindication to MRI * Radiographic chondrocalcinosis (a condition in which there are deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate \[CPPD\] crystals in one or more joints that eventually result in damage to the affected joints) AND acute symptomatic pseudogout * Inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, pseudogout) * Injection with viscosupplementation in the affected knee in the 4 weeks before study entry * Any medical contraindications to surgery or physical therapy * Both knees are symptomatic for meniscal tears and a candi…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial compared surgery directly against physical therapy for meniscal tears with osteoarthritis — based on how my specific situation compares to what was studied here, which approach does my doctor think would be more appropriate for me?
2Since this trial used the WOMAC score to measure functional improvement, how did the two groups actually compare on day-to-day activities like walking, climbing stairs, and knee pain — and does my current level of function match what participants in this study looked like at baseline?
3Given that this trial is now completed, has my doctor seen or reviewed the published results, and do those results change how they'd normally recommend treating a meniscal tear when osteoarthritis is also present?
4If the physical therapy approach used in this trial showed meaningful functional gains, what would a comparable physical therapy program look like for me in terms of time commitment, frequency, and what I'd need to do on my own at home?
5Since both surgery and physical therapy carry their own risks and demands, are there factors specific to my age, activity level, or the severity of my osteoarthritis that would make one option clearly better or worse for me compared to the average participant in this trial?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

WOMAC Functional Status - Difference From Baseline

Timeframe: Baseline and 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00597012

SponsorBrigham and Women's Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2012-02

Results submitted2013-08-02

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Osteoarthritis trials