Exercise can beat surgery for knee arthritis

Intensive exercise and physiotherapy is now being recommended instead of arthroscopy, as a way to combat the increasing problem of knee osteoarthritis, which has become a major health issue for Australians over 50.

A Canadian study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown there is limited benefit from arthroscopy  – keyhole surgery to wash and polish the knee joint – for people suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

In the past, knee surgeons had rejected a study which apparently demonstrated that people with knee arthritis did not benefit from having arthroscopy or placebo surgery.

The latest Canadian study examined the surgeons’ criticisms and compared surgery against intensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

This study determined that there was relatively little benefit from the surgical clean out and instead, made a strong recommendation that people with knee arthritis should focus on losing weight, exercising, and strengthening their quadriceps.