ARTHROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE - A PROSPECTIVE,RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL RESULTS OF - A PILOT-STUDY

The reasons why many patients seemingly benefit from arthroscopic trea tment of osteoarthritis of the knee remain obscure. The purpose of thi s pilot study was to determine if a placebo effect might play a role i n arthroscopic treatment of this condition. After giving full informed consent, including full knowledge of the possibility and nature of a placebo surgery, five subjects were randomized to a placebo arthroscop y group, three subjects were randomized to an arthroscopic lavage grou p, and two subjects were randomized to a standard arthroscopic debride ment group. The physicians performing the postoperative assessment and the patients remained blinded as to treatment. Patients who received the placebo surgery reported decreased frequency, intensity, and durat ion of knee pain. They also thought that the procedure was worthwhile and would recommend it to family and friends. Thus, there may be a sig nificant placebo effect for arthroscopic treatment of osteoarthritis o f the knee. The small numbers in this preliminary study preclude a val id statistical analysis, and no conclusions can be drawn regarding the superiority of one treatment over another. A larger study is needed t o evaluate fully the efficacy of an arthroscopic procedure for this co ndition and to decide if it is reasonable to expend health care resour ces for this treatment; the larger study should include a placebo cont rol group.