BMJ 2017; 357 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j1982 (Published 10 May 2017)
Cite this as: BMJ 2017;357:j1982
What you need to know
-
We make a strong recommendation against the use of arthroscopy in nearly all patients with degenerative knee disease, based on linked systematic reviews; further research is unlikely to alter this recommendation
-
This recommendation applies to patients with or without imaging evidence of osteoarthritis, mechanical symptoms, or sudden symptom onset
-
Healthcare administrators and funders may use the number of arthroscopies performed in patients with degenerative knee disease as an indicator of quality care.
-
Knee arthroscopy is the most common orthopaedic procedure in countries with available data
-
This Rapid Recommendation package was triggered by a randomised controlled trial published in The BMJ in June 2016 which found that, among patients with a degenerative medial meniscus tear, knee arthroscopy was no better than exercise therapy