Knee arthroscopy versus conservative management in patients with degenerative knee disease: a systematic review. Issue 5 (11th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brignardello-Petersen, Romina; Guyatt, Gordon H; Buchbinder, Rachelle; Poolman, Rudolf W; Schandelmaier, Stefan; Chang, Yaping; Sadeghirad, Behnam; Evaniew, Nathan; Vandvik, Per O
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 7:Issue 5(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-05-11
• Subjects: arthritis -- Osteoarthritis -- knee pain -- meniscus tear -- GRADE; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To determine the effects and complications of arthroscopic surgery compared with conservative management strategies in patients with degenerative knee disease. Design: Systematic review. Main outcome measures: Pain, function, adverse events. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Google Scholar and Open Grey up to August 2016. Eligibility criteria: For effects, randomised clinical trials (RCTs) comparing arthroscopic surgery with a conservative management strategy (including sham surgery) in patients with degenerative knee disease. For complications, RCTs and observational studies. Review methods: Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias for patient-important outcomes. A parallel guideline committee ( BMJ Rapid Recommendations) provided input on the design and interpretation of the systematic review, including selection of patient-important outcomes. We used the GRADE approach to rate the certainty (quality) of the evidence. Results: We included 13 RCTs and 12 observational studies. With respect to pain, the review identified high-certainty evidence that knee arthroscopy results in a very small reduction in pain up to 3 months (mean difference =5.4 on a 100-point scale, 95% CI 2.0 to 8.8) and very small or no pain reduction up to 2 years (mean difference =3.1, 95% CI −0.2 to 6.4) when compared with conservative management. With respect to function, the review identified moderate-certainty evidence that knee arthroscopy results in a very small improvement in the short term (mean difference =4.9 on a 100-point scale, 95% CI 1.5 to 8.4) and very small or no improved function up to 2 years (mean difference =3.2, 95% CI −0.5 to 6.8). Alternative presentations of magnitude of effect, and associated sensitivity analyses, were consistent with the findings of the primary analysis. Low-quality evidence suggested a very low probability of serious complications after knee arthroscopy. Conclusions: Over the long term, patients who undergo knee arthroscopy versus those who receive conservative management strategies do not have important benefits in pain or function. Trial registration number: PROSPERO CRD42016046242.