title: Effect of exercise therapy compared with arthroscopic surgery on knee muscle strength and functional performance in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscus tears: a 3-mo follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a 12-wk exercise therapy program and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy on knee strength and functional performance in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscus tears.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 82 patients (mean age, 49 yrs; 35% women) with a symptomatic, unilateral, magnetic resonance imaging-verified degenerative meniscus tear and no or mild radiographic osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to a supervised neuromuscular and strength exercise program or arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Outcomes assessed 3 mos after intervention initiation were isokinetic knee muscle strength, lower extremity performance, and self-reported global rating of change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean difference in isokinetic knee extension peak torque between the two groups was 16% (95% confidence interval, 7.1-24.0) (P < 0.0001), favoring the exercise group. Patients in the exercise group improved isokinetic knee extension peak by a mean of 25 Nm (range, 18-33 Nm) from baseline to follow-up. Furthermore, patients assigned to exercise therapy showed statistically significant improvements (P ≤ 0.002) in all other measured variables, with moderate to large effect sizes (0.5-1.3). Patients reported a similar and positive effect of both interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 12-wk supervised exercise therapy program yielded clinically relevant and statistically significant improvement in isokinetic quadriceps strength immediately after completion of the program, as compared with treatment with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.
authors.affiliation: From the Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark (SS, EMR); and Norwegian Research Center for Active Rehabilitation, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, and Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway (MAR).
authors.forename: Silje
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stensrud
authors.forename: May Arna
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Risberg
authors.forename: Ewa M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Roos
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries