Objective To determine if exercise therapy is superior to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy
for knee function in middle aged patients with degenerative meniscal tears. Design
Randomised controlled superiority trial. Setting Orthopaedic departments at two public
hospitals and two physiotherapy clinics in Norway. Participants 140 adults, mean age 49.5
years (range 35.7-59.9), with degenerative medial meniscal tear verified by magnetic
resonance imaging. 96% had no definitive radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis …

Background: Degenerative meniscal tears are prevalent among middle-aged individuals,
often leading to significant knee pain and functional impairment. The effectiveness of non-
surgical interventions, such as exercise therapy, compared to arthroscopic partial
meniscectomy (APM), remains a key area of research in managing this condition. Objective:
To compare the efficacy of exercise therapy versus APM in improving pain relief, functional
outcomes, and patient satisfaction in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscal tears …