Meniscus tears have historically been treated with arthroscopy. However, compelling data has shown that this surgery does not work for degenerative meniscus tears. Physical therapy, conversely, has been shown to be a more effective measure for the degenerative meniscus tear, and is a more reasonable first-line measure compared to arthroscopic menisectomy. Still, the public's perception, guided by decades of advice from Sports Medicine Specialists that arthroscopy is the answer for all meniscus tears regardless of the chondral condition in the knee, has not changed with current evidence. This can create uncomfortable conversations with patients who have a degenerative meniscus tear and expect arthroscopy. Coming to us from the University of Buffalo, Drs. Nomi Weiss-Laxer and Leslie Bisson discuss their study examining patient perceptions and expectations of nonoperative treatment for degenerative meniscus tears.
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