A study published in BMJ and covered by NPR reveals arthroscopic surgery may not be the best way to treat arthritis knee pain.
Here are five things to know:
1. Arthroscopic surgery doesn't provide lasting pain relief or improve patients' function.
2. The study found physical therapy, exercise and placebo surgery had a similar or positive impact on patients with degenerative knee problems.
3. Less than 15 percent of patients reported pain reduction or improved function three months after the surgery and effects totally disappeared within one year.
4. Patients undergoing surgery are also more prone to contracting infections.
5. AAOS doesn't recommend arthroscopic surgery for patients with arthritis, according to the report.
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