title: The MeTeOR trial (Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis Research): rationale and design features.
abstract: This paper presents the rationale and design features of the MeTeOR Trial (Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis Research; Clinical Trials.gov NCT00597012). MeTeOR is an NIH-funded seven-center prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to establish the efficacy of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy combined with a standardized physical therapy program as compared with a standardized physical therapy program alone in patients with a symptomatic meniscal tear in the setting of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritic change (OA). The design and execution of a trial that compares surgery with a nonoperative treatment strategy presents distinctive challenges. The goal of this paper is to provide the clinical rationale for MeTeOR and to highlight salient design features, with particular attention to those that present clinical and methodologic challenges.
authors.affiliation: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. jnkatz@partners.org
authors.forename: Jeffrey N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Christine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Chaisson
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guermazi
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Morgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mandl
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Safran-Norton
authors.forename: Frank W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Roemer
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Skoniecki
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Kurt P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Spindler
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Rick W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Losina
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012307:Risk Factors