Knee Surgery vs Physical Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+6 other locations

Overseen byJeffrey N Katz, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?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.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people with a specific knee problem where the cushioning cartilage (meniscus) is torn and they also have osteoarthritis. They must have had symptoms for at least a month, tried some treatments like meds or physical therapy, and be okay with being randomly assigned to treatment groups. People can't join if they've had previous knee surgery on the affected leg, are pregnant, have certain other joint diseases or severe arthritis needing total knee replacement.

Inclusion Criteria

Evidence of a meniscal tear (tear extending to surface of meniscus) on a knee MRI

I experience symptoms like clicking, pain, or instability in my knee, suggesting a torn meniscus.

Available knee X-ray (within 6 months) and MRI (within 3 years)

+3 more

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy or possible pregnancy

I have no health issues preventing surgery or physical therapy.

My knee arthritis is severe, possibly needing a knee replacement.

+10 more

Participant Groups

The study compares two common treatments for meniscal tears in patients with osteoarthritis: one group will undergo arthroscopic partial meniscectomy followed by rehab physical therapy; another group will receive standard physical therapy without surgery. The goal is to see which approach helps more.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: SurgicalExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Participants will undergo arthroscopic partial menisectomy (APM) surgery and offered postoperative rehabilitative physical therapy.

Group II: NonoperativeActive Control1 Intervention

Participants will undergo standard physical therapy that will include strengthening and stretching sessions one to three times a week for 8 weeks.