From Medscape, 30 April 2026:
Ten-year follow-up data from the FIDELITY study of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) in patients with symptoms of degenerative meniscal tear found the procedure offered no benefits and was even associated with worse outcomes.
The FIDELITY study used sham APM as the placebo control. The study involved 146 patients, aged 35-65 years, who were randomized during exploratory arthroscopy either to have damaged or loose parts of the meniscus removed, or to a sham procedure where the surgeon mimicked the movements of surgery without removing any tissue. Read more
Bianca Nogrady 