Comparing surgery and non-surgical options for knee pain from meniscal tears
Official title: Surgery vs. conservative care for meniscal tear after unsuccessful PT: an RCT
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10798241 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well surgery and non-surgical treatments work for older adults with knee pain from meniscal tears who haven't found relief from physical therapy, and if you're still in pain after trying therapy, you can join to see if surgery or a special non-surgical plan helps you feel better over the next two years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $225,529 |
| NIH project number | 5R34AR082021-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10798241 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 45 and older who have knee pain and meniscal tears and have not responded to physical therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone physical therapy or those with other knee conditions unrelated to meniscal tears may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of surgical versus non-surgical treatments for knee pain caused by meniscal tears in older adults who have not found relief from physical therapy. Participants will first undergo a standardized physical therapy regimen, and those who continue to experience pain will be invited to join a randomized controlled trial. They will have the option to receive either arthroscopic surgery or a comprehensive non-surgical treatment plan that includes injections and enhanced physical therapy. The study aims to assess pain relief and overall outcomes over a two-year period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide clearer guidance on the best treatment options for older adults suffering from knee pain due to meniscal tears.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that physical therapy can be as effective as surgery for knee pain, but this specific comparison of treatments after unsuccessful PT is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Katz, Jeffrey Neil — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Katz, Jeffrey Neil
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.