A sore knee can slowly change everyday life. Stairs become more annoying, long walks get skipped, and many people start looking for a quick fix.
For years, one specific operation has been among the world’s most common treatments for knee pain.
Now, a major Finnish study from the University of Helsinki is challenging that belief. Researchers behind the FIDELITY trial followed patients for 10 years and found no clear long-term benefit from the surgery compared with a placebo procedure, reports Science Daily.
The results surprised researchers
The operation involves removing damaged parts of the meniscus inside the knee. It is still routinely performed in many countries and has long been considered an effective way to relieve pain.
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But according to the researchers, patients who underwent the procedure did not recover better than those who received placebo surgery.
In several cases, the operated patients actually reported more knee-related problems over time.
The study also found that the surgery group showed a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis and needing additional knee operations later on.
Difficult to change old habits
Researchers believe many knee problems in middle-aged and older adults may be linked more closely to age-related joint degeneration than to the meniscus tear itself.
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The trial included 146 participants from five hospitals across Finland, with more than 90 percent still taking part at the final follow-up a decade later.
Although earlier studies have also questioned the effectiveness of the procedure, it continues to be widely used in several countries.
The researchers say the findings highlight how difficult it can be for healthcare systems to move away from treatments that have been considered standard for decades.
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