The degenerative meniscus and conservative treatment. Rehabilitation program

• Main Author: Costa, António Manuel Santinho da
• Other Authors: Pinheiro, João José Carreiro Pascoa, Branco, João Paulo Neves
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Lesões degenerativas do menisco; Tratamento conservativo; Programa de rabilitação; Degenerative meniscus lesion; Conservative treatment; Rehabilitation program; Prisma; DML
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/111434

Trabalho Final do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina apresentado à Faculdade de Medicina Introduction: Degenerative meniscus lesions (DML) are a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged and elderly individuals with no history of trauma and can lead to cartilage rupture and knee osteoarthritis. DMLs can be asymptomatic or present with symptoms such as pain, swelling, atrophy, and mobility impairments. Prior research has indicated that surgical intervention does not typically provide significant advantages compared to non-surgical approaches for many patients. Although, this topic still debated in clinical practice. Objectives: Our aims were to identify the most effective rehabilitation program for DML by comparing various exercise regimens in the literature.Methods: The research was conducted using the PubMed database. Only articles published within the last 5 years were included, which evaluated pain and/or functionality outcomes in patients with DML undergoing a rehabilitation program. Studies that exclusively referred to surgical approaches, simulated surgery, post-traumatic meniscus tear diagnosis, meniscus repair, or concomitant anterior cruciate ligament injury were excluded. Two specialists independently proceeded with the article selection, taking into account the PRISMA guidelines. The quality of studies was assessed with the AMSTAR-2 tool.Results: Nine systematic reviews were included. To assess the quality of the articles, the AMSTAR-2 tool was used: one article was rated as "low" and eight were rated as "critically low". Different outcome measures of pain and functionality were used in the various systematic reviews.Conclusions: Surgery and conservative methods do not show a significant difference in the long-term treatment of degenerative meniscus lesions. The various studies present widely varying rehabilitation programs in terms of exercises and duration, thus further research is necessary to determine the most effective rehabilitation approach. Introdução: As lesões degenerativas do ...