I have previously written about the (non)
role of arthroscopy for osteoarthritis or degenerative meniscus tears in the
knee (here,
here
and here).
Surgeons have continued to operate, based on a belief that (now) centres on the
presence of mechanical symptoms. An analysis of the recent sham surgery trial
of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), which showed APM to be no better
than sham for patients with meniscus tears without arthritis, has shown that
this procedure is no better than sham surgery for patients with mechanical
symptoms.