Ronald A. Navarro, MD, of Kaiser Permanente in Rolling Hills, Calif., analyzed 4,883 patients who had had knee arthroscopy and 2,143 patients who only underwent physical therapy.
Here are five observations:
1. Dr. Navarro found over the course of more than 10 years, nearly 1,400 patients who underwent arthroscopy had knee replacement surgery, compared with 488 patients in the physical therapy group.
2. Patients who underwent knee arthroscopy were 30 percent more likely to have a knee replacement over time than patients who only underwent physical therapy.
3. Dr. Navarro noted no substantial difference between the two groups in narcotic medication use or knee injections.
4. Other randomized studies found arthroscopy did not yield increased pain relief or functional improvement compared with only physical therapy.
5. Recently, the American Board of Internal Medicine launched Choosing Wisely, a campaign seeking to encourage physicians and patients to participate in a dialogue about reducing the overuse of tests and procedures.
More articles on orthopedics:
Orthopedic surgeon to know: Dr. Eric Berkson of Massachusetts General Hospital
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Dr. Kevin Koth joins Harrisburg Medical Center — 5 things to know
