Lambricht, NicolasSaliba, ChristelleChristelleSalibaSauvaud, CamilleCamilleSauvaud2025-05-142025-05-142025-05-142021https://hdl.handle.net/2078.2/22876Background: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in orthopedics. Though, accurate evidence of its efficacy is lacking. Objectives: The aim of this systematic review, based on the current literature, is to compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus sham surgery at different follow-up time for knee pain, function and quality of life in middle-aged and older patients with degenerative meniscal tears. Methods: We conducted an electronic study screen for RCTs comparing APM with sham surgery for middle aged and older patients (between 30 and 80 years old) with degenerative meniscal tears. The bibliographic databases include Medline (PubMed), Embase and Scopus from 2013 to January 2021 using PICOs strategy. The outcome variables were knee pain, physical function and quality of life. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2). Results: Only 5 out of 26 randomized controlled trials met the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. Four of them show no significant between-group difference in knee pain, function and quality of life at different follow-up moments (2, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months). The last trial exhibits contradictory results (less pain, better knee function and life quality) at 2 years after APM compared to sham surgery but it suffers from a poor methodological quality.Two other results were highlighted: (1) APM might be associated with higher risk of developing knee OA at 5 years and (2) the resection of a torn meniscus seems to have no additional benefits over sham surgery in term of relieving sensations of occasional knee locking or catching at 12 months. Conclusion: Even though some results are contradictory, APM seems to provide no more benefits than sham surgery for middle-aged and older patients with DMT. These results should be interpreted with caution and cannot, in any case, be generalized to all patients with meniscus lesions due to a lack of heterogeneity in the patient-selection process.Arthroscopic partial meniscectomySham procedureplacebosdegenerative meniscal tearpainquality of lifeknee functiontext::thesis::master thesisthesis:28869