Question:
Should I have a knee arthroscopy surgery if I am over 40 and have been told I have a degenerative meniscal tear?
Answer:
No
MedHead Confidence Score: 7
Amount Saved: $8,000 knee arthroscopy cost
MedHead Message:
If your over 40, spending $8,000 on a knee surgery to fix a degenerative meniscal tear causes no lessening of pain or function than more conservative measures, such as physical therapy, steroid joint injections, and anti-inflammatory pain medications like ibuprofen and aleve.
References:
“1.Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2018 July 4. doi: 10.1007/s00402-018-2991-0. [Epub ahead of print]
Arthroscopic meniscal surgery versus conservative management in patients aged 40 years and older: a meta-analysis. 2. http://www.choosingwisely.org/clinician-lists/american-medical-society-sports-medicine-knee-arthroscopy-for-degenerative-meniscal-tears/. 3. http://health.costhelper.com/torn-meniscus.html”
