title: Knee osteoarthritis and role for surgical intervention: lessons learned from randomized clinical trials and population-based cohorts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Over the last decade, there has been increased recognition of the importance of high-quality randomized controlled trials in determining the role of surgery for knee osteoarthritis. This review highlights key findings from the best available studies, and considers whether or not this knowledge has resulted in better evidence-based care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Use of arthroscopy to treat knee osteoarthritis has not declined despite strong evidence-based recommendations that do not sanction its use. A large randomized controlled trial has demonstrated that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy followed by a standardized physical therapy program results in similar improvements in pain and function at 6 and 12 months in comparison to physical therapy alone in patients with knee osteoarthritis and a symptomatic meniscal tear, confirming the findings of two previous trials. Two recent randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that decision aids help people to reach better-informed decisions about total knee arthroplasty. A majority of studies have indicated that for people with obesity the positive results of total knee arthroplasty may be compromised by postoperative complications, particularly infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More efforts are needed to overcome significant evidence-practice gaps in the surgical management of knee osteoarthritis, particularly arthroscopy. Decision aids are a promising tool.
authors.affiliation: aMonash Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Cabrini Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Malvern Victoria bUniversity of Sydney, Institute of Rheumatology and Orthopedics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown New South Wales cSouth Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buchbinder
authors.forename: Bethan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001182:Arthroscopy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D010027:Osteotomy; D010329:Patella / Q000601:surgery; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries