Randomized Study Comparing Surgical Repair and Non-Surgical Care for Medial Meniscus Root Tears of the Knee

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare outcomes between non-operative and surgical treatments for people with medial meniscus root tears diagnosed by MRI and confirmed during surgery. Researchers want to better understand pain levels, functional outcomes reported by patients, and imaging changes after these treatments, as well as how meniscal root tears progress long-term and what factors may lead to worse outcomes or osteoarthritis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups the first will receive non-surgical care including pain medication, physical therapy twice a week for 8 weeks, and will avoid putting weight on the affected leg for 6 weeks. If patients in this group do not improve after 3 months, they may cross over to surgery. The second group will have surgery to repair the meniscus root within 3 weeks of joining the study, followed by a standardized 6-week period of non-weight bearing and rehabilitation. Both groups will be monitored with patient reports, X-rays, and MRI scans over 12 months to assess repair status and joint changes. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires about pain and knee function up to 12 months after treatment, or up to 18 months if they switch from non-operative to surgery. Imaging tests including X-rays and MRI will be done at set times to track healing and joint health. The study team will measure pain using a visual scale as the main outcome, along with other knee function and quality of life scores. The total participation may last over a year depending on treatment crossover and follow-up assessments.

Operative vs Non-operative Management of Posterior-medial Meniscal Root Tears: A Randomized Multicenter Trial (RCT)