Early surgery versus exercise therapy and patient education for traumatic and nontraumatic meniscal tears in young adults – an exploratory analysis from the DREAM trial

Key Points

1. The study compared early meniscal surgery and exercise therapy with patient education for young patients with MRI-verified meniscal tears, finding no significant differences in patient-reported outcomes after 12 months for both treatment approaches.

All key points available for members only

Start free trial

Or log in here

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Meniscal tears are prevalent knee injuries in younger athletes, often resulting from specific traumatic events in sports activities or work-related trauma (1). Traditional treatment has favored arthroscopic surgery, but there is growing evidence suggesting that conservative management, including exercise therapy and education, may be equally effective (2).

This study addresses the gap in comparative research on surgical versus nonsurgical interventions for meniscal tears, particularly focusing on the outcomes related to pain and function. By exploring these treatment options, the study aimed to provide insights that can inform clinical practice and enhance patient decision-making regarding management strategies for meniscal injuries.

Traditional treatment of meniscal tears has favored arthroscopic surgery, but there is growing evidence suggesting that conservative management may be equally effective.

Physiotherapists can confidently recommend exercise therapy as a primary treatment option, highlighting its ability to enhance pain relief, functional improvement, and overall quality of life without necessitating immediate surgical intervention.

METHODS

• This study is an exploratory analysis of the Danish RCT (DREAM trial), comparing exercise therapy and arthroscopic meniscal surgery for young adults with knee pain.

Start free trial

to unlock full access to this review and 1061 more

Or log in here