Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy Versus Exercise Therapy for Meniscal Injuries in Older Patients… (NCT05068843) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy Versus Exercise Therapy for Meniscal Injuries in Older Patients, a 5 Year Follow up.
321 participantsStarted 2013-07-13
Plain-language summary
Arthroscopic partial meniscectomie (APM) offers little short-term to medium-term benefit above sham surgery or non-surgical management for knee function in most patients with a symptomatic degenerative meniscus tear. It is suggested that APM is associated with increased risk of accelerated progression of knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged to older patients.
With the 5 year follow-up of the ESCAPE trial we will investigate the longterm results of APM and physical therapy in patients with a meniscal tear over 45 years old.
Who can participate
Age range
45 Years – 70 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:
* 45 to 70 years old MRI confirmed, non-obstructive and symptomatic meniscal tear
Exclusion Criteria:
* Knee locking or trauma leading to acute surgery;
▸ Associated injuries on the index knee consisting of:
* Symptomatic partial or total tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL),
* Posterior cruciate ligament tear,
* OA of the knee, grade 4 on the Kellgren and Lawrence Grading Scale,
* An injury to the lateral or posterolateral ligament complex with significant laxity;
* Previous knee surgery on the index knee (with the exception of diagnostic arthroscopy);
* Tumour that is suspected of malignancy, detectable on MRI;
* Obesity with a body mass index \>35;
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 4 or 5 patients;
* General disease that effects physical function or systemic medication/abuse of steroids;
* Any other medical condition or treatment interfering with the completion or assessment of the trial, for example, contraindications to MRI or surgery;
* Drugs or alcohol abuse;
* Patients unable to fill out the Dutch questionnaires.
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 to remove part of the meniscus versus exercise therapy for older patients with meniscal tears — after 5 years of follow-up, which approach showed better scores on the IKDC knee function questionnaire, and how might those results apply to my specific situation?
2Since this trial focused on older patients who also had some degree of knee osteoarthritis, does my level of osteoarthritis or my age put me closer to or further from the group that was studied here?
3The trial is now completed, so there should be results available — can you walk me through what they found about whether exercise therapy is a realistic alternative to surgery for someone like me, or whether surgery still came out ahead?
4Given that this study tracked patients over 5 full years, what does the longer-term data suggest about how the two treatments hold up over time, particularly when it comes to knee pain and daily function?
5Before I consider what this trial's findings mean for me, is there a standard-of-care recommendation you would suggest I try first, and how does that align with what this research found?
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
1
Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC) questionnaire