Knee pain is one of the most common afflictions that almost everyone expects to experience as they age. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and results from a decrease in the protective cartilage between joints. This decrease can cause joint pain, swelling, and a decreased range of motion. One of the most commonly recommended treatments for osteoarthritis in your knees is a partial meniscectomy, which involves trimming damaged sections of your meniscus cartilage. It has become one of the most popular surgeries in the world, but recent studies have revealed that this surgery might worsen your osteoarthritis instead of making it better.

Surgery Can Worsen Your Osteoarthritis?

A study from the University of Helsinki has revealed that a partial meniscectomy doesn’t help patients manage their osteoarthritis and can instead worsen their symptoms, knee function, and existing osteoarthritis.

Scientists at the University of Helsinki conducted The Finnish Degenerative Meniscal Lesion Study (FIDELITY), which is a 10-year study that followed patients who had a partial meniscectomy and patients who had a placebo surgery. Those who had the partial meniscectomy reported they had more knee pain symptoms, poorer joint function and showed a “greater progression of osteoarthritis and were more likely to need additional surgery.”

Teppo Järvinen, a professor at the University of Helsinki and the lead investigator of the FIDELITY emphasizes the importance and impact of their results, stating,

“Our findings suggest that this may be an example of what is known as a medical reversal, where broadly used therapy proves ineffective or even harmful.” This is incredibly concerning for those with osteoarthritis, more so for the thousands who have had this surgery.

Dr. Roope Kalske, doctoral researcher and orthopedics and traumatology specialist, provided additional insight, saying, “Several randomized studies have already demonstrated that partial meniscectomy has not improved patients’ symptoms or function in the short (1-2 years) or medium (5 years) term. Regardless, the procedure has remained widely used in many countries.”

Now that evidence is piling up discrediting this surgery, it has caused a couple of questions to surface. No matter if you have or haven’t had this surgery, chances are you are still in pain. So, if the surgery makes your pain worse, where is your pain actually coming from, and how do you manage it?

What Causes Arthritis Knee Pain?

A partial meniscectomy “is based on the assumption that pain in the inside of the knee is caused by a medial meniscus tear, which can be treated surgically. Such reasoning — assumption based on biological credibility — is still very common in medicine but in this case, the assumption does not withstand critical examination. Based on current understanding, pain in various joints, such as the knee joint in this case, is related to degeneration brought about by aging,” says Raine Sihvonen, Specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology and the other lead investigator of the FIDELITY.

Is Surgery the Best Osteoarthritis Treatment Option?

Several studies have supported the notion that exercise is one of the most effective treatments for osteoarthritis. Despite being the most common joint disease, many doctors don’t immediately recommend exercise, the top treatment for osteoarthritis, and instead direct people towards surgery. Studies from Ireland, the UK, Norway, and the United States, revealed that fewer than half of the patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis are recommended physical therapy or exercise treatments by their doctor. More than 60% of patients receive treatment that is not within recommended clinical guidelines and about 40% of patients are directed towards surgery before non-surgical options are presented and explored.

Best Treatment for Osteoarthritis Pain

Even though it is not immediately recommended by the majority of doctors, exercise is the best treatment option for osteoarthritis. This seems backwards because arthritis can make movement painful. However, cartilage does not have its own blood supply, so it requires movement to stay healthy. Movement and putting regular weight on your joints causes them to stay lubricated and absorb nutrients, which helps maintain joint function. This is essential as osteoarthritis isn’t a disease that only affects your cartilage and instead involves your entire joint including joint fluid, bones, ligaments, nerve endings, muscles. Muscle weakness is the first sign of osteoarthritis, so maintaining muscle movement and strength is key.

What Exercises are Best for Knee Osteoarthritis?

A study reviewing 217 clinical trials has surmised that aerobic activities such as walking, cycling, and swimming are some of the most effective exercises for those with osteoporosis. This aerobic activity reduced pain, improved knee function, and increased patients’ overall quality of life.

If you have osteoarthritis and are hesitant to get surgery, push your doctor to offer and give details about non-surgical options like exercise. Partial meniscectomy surgery doesn’t benefit osteoarthritis patients and instead worsens their condition, plus it is not even the number one treatment option. If you have osteoarthritis, talk to your doctor about physical therapy options and explore the possibility of taking up walking, swimming, or cycling to best treat your osteoarthritis. Even if you are somewhat physically limited, studies have proven that any exercise is better than no exercise.

References:

Common knee surgery found ineffective, may make things worse | ScienceDaily

One of the world’s most common knee surgeries does not help and may even be harmful | University of Helsinki

Millions with joint pain and osteoarthritis are missing the most powerful treatment | ScienceDaily

Guideline-based exercise management for hip and knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional comparison of healthcare professional and patient beliefs in Ireland – PMC

Scientists reveal the best exercise for knee arthritis pain relief | ScienceDaily

Is Surgery Always Necessary for Knee Pain? Exploring Non-Surgical Alternatives – WorldHealth.net