Effectiveness of physiotherapy after meniscectomy

To evaluate the effect of physiotherapy after partial arthroscopic meniscec tomy, we performed a prospective, randomised and partially blinded study. T his pilot study was performed from October 1996 to June 1997. The control g roup received the standard treatment, consisting of verbal and written advi ce and exercises. The physiotherapy group performed exercises according to a dynamic protocol under the supervision of a physiotherapist. During a 3-w eek period, nine treatment sessions were given of 30 min each. Twenty patie nts, who had undergone arthroscopic meniscectomy without any other patholog y of the knee, were randomised into two groups of ten patients each. The ef fects of therapy were evaluated by a blinded observer. We measured the dist ance and height of one-leg jumps (hops), the VAS pain scale, the Tegner and Lysholm scores and the SARS/FORS score. Recovery and satisfaction with the treatment were also evaluated. The effect measurements were performed at 7 (T1), 14 (T2), 21 (T3) and 28 days (T4) following surgery. Statistical ana lysis was performed with the Student's t-test. The physiotherapy group show ed significantly better results than the control group regarding the SAPS s core, the hop test and the distance jumps. Moreover, the measurements showe d clear progression in favour of the physiotherapy group. In conclusion, ex ercising under the supervision of a physiotherapist led to high patient sat isfaction and good functional rehabilitation after partial arthroscopic men iscectomy.