Effect of Physical Therapy vs Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy in People With Degenerative Meniscal Tears

Key Points Question Is exercise-based physical therapy noninferior to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy during a 5-year follow-up period in patients aged 45 to 70 years with a degenerative meniscal tear? Findings In this noninferiority randomized clinical trial, no significant or clinically relevant between-group difference in patient-reported knee function was noted on the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form at the 5-year follow-up. Physical therapy was not inferior to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Meaning The findings of this trial support the recommendation that exercise-based physical therapy should be the preferred treatment over surgery for degenerative meniscal tears.