Effectiveness of supervised physical therapy in the early period after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Controversy exists about the effectiveness of physical therapy after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of supervised physical therapy with a home program versus a home program alone. SUBJECTS Eighty-four patients (86% males; overall mean age=39 years, SD=9, range=21-58; female mean age=39 years, SD=9, range=24-58; male mean age=40, SD=9, range=21-58) who underwent an uncomplicated arthroscopic partial meniscectomy participated. METHODS Subjects were randomly assigned to either a group who received 6 weeks of supervised physical therapy with a home program or a group who received only a home program. Blinded test sessions were conducted 5 and 50 days after surgery. Outcome measures were: (1) Hughston Clinic questionnaire, (2) Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and EuroQol EQ-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaires, (3) number of days to return to work after surgery divided by the Factor Occupational Rating System score, (4) kinematic analysis of knee function during level walking and stair use, and (5) horizontal and vertical hops. RESULTS No differences between groups were found for any of the outcomes measured. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The results indicate that the supervised physical therapy used in this study is not beneficial for patients in the early period after uncomplicated arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.