OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a 12-wk exercise therapy program and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy on knee strength and functional performance in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscus tears. DESIGN: A total of 82 patients (mean age 49 yrs; 35% women) with a symptomatic, unilateral, magnetic resonance imaging-verified degenerative meniscus tear and no or mild radiographic osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to a supervised neuromuscular and strength exercise program or arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Outcomes assessed 3 mos after intervention initiation were isokinetic knee muscle strength, lower extremity performance, and self-reported global rating of change. RESULTS: Mean difference in isokinetic knee extension peak torque between the two groups was 16% (95% confidence interval 7.1 to 24.0) (p < 0.0001), favoring the exercise group. Patients in the exercise group improved isokinetic knee extension peak by a mean of 25 Nm (range 18 to 33 Nm) from baseline to follow-up. Furthermore, patients assigned to exercise therapy showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.002) in all other measured variables, with moderate to large effect sizes (0.5 to 1.3). Patients reported a similar and positive effect of both interventions. CONCLUSION: A 12-wk supervised exercise therapy program yielded clinically relevant and statistically significant improvement in isokinetic quadriceps strength immediately after completion of the program, as compared with treatment with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.

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