Arthritis Foundation Comment on
Arthroscopic Surgery for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
On Thursday, September 11, 2008, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study on arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, currently affects 27 million of the 46 million people in the United States with arthritis. In addition, one in two Americans are at risk for knee osteoarthritis over their lifetime.
The Arthritis Foundation supports the use of evidence-based medicine. The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that arthroscopic surgery is no more effective than non-operative treatments (physical therapy, patient education and judicious use of drug therapy) for people with advanced osteoarthritis of the knee. This does not imply that arthroscopic surgery has no role for people with knee conditions. Arthroscopic surgery is valuable for diagnosing and treating conditions such as meniscal tears or loose bodies in the joint, and for performing reconstructive procedures such as anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends that people with arthritis work with their doctor to better understand the full range of treatment options and to develop a treatment plan that is best suited for their individual situation. The Arthritis Foundation offers evidence-based programs to help people with arthritis become physically active to decrease symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Along with physical activity, the Arthritis Foundation also stresses the importance of weight control to limit the impact of knee osteoarthritis. Obesity is a known risk factor for osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints. For patients who are overweight, losing weight and becoming physically active will help them feel better and slow down progression of the disease.
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