Riassunto dello studio

Six studies including 900 patients were included in this meta-analysis comparing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) plus medical exercise therapy vs. exercise therapy alone. The outcomes of interest included pooled pain scores on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index, range of motion, Lysholm knee scores, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the incidence of complications. Results revealed significantly favourable pooled VAS pain scores in the combined group at 2 months post-operation; however, significant differences in pooled VAS pain scores at 6 months were not observed between the 2 groups. In addition, the pooled WOMAC scores and range of motion were significantly in favour of the combined group. Finally, no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in pooled Lysholm scores at 2 or 6 months, KOOS scores, or the incidence of deep vein thrombosis or wound infection.