A new study released this week has revealed that the knee arthroscopy rate in US is more than double the rates of knee surgery in Europe or Canada. In addition, despite often long knee surgery recovery times, the number of knee arthroscopic surgeries increased by about 1/2 in the decade from 1996 to 2006. There were about 1,000,000 arthroscopic knee surgeries in the United States in the year 2006 alone. About 500,000 of those were for meniscus tears. First, these numbers are staggering. The current US population is about 307 million people, so approximately 1 in 300 people in the year 2006 had knee arthroscopy. If we exclude the patients treated for complete retracted ACL tears (maybe 100,000 patients based on the study)-an indication for knee surgery that we feel is very appropriate to perhaps (not proven yet) reduce the onset of more severe knee arthritis, that leaves about 900,000 surgeries. If we also take out another 100,000 surgeries that are likely performed for knee micro fracture surgery (where there is some low level evidence showing some efficacy in certain younger and male patient populations) and issues like severe locking episodes where a piece of cartilage is in the wrong spot and disabling the patient, that leaves about 800,000 surgeries focused on debridement and meniscus repair. If we assume hospital and physician costs of about $5,000 per surgery and add 25% for dealing with direct surgical complications such as infection, re-operation, etc.., the total United States societal cost is about $5 billion per year. Over a decade, this is $50 billion. While this would be fine if all of this knee surgery resulted in these knees being “fixed”, however the research suggests that this isn’t the case. In particular, the two surgeries we’re discussing that cost 5 billion dollars a year either haven’t been shown to be better than placebo surgeries or there’s current significant controversy over whether they’re effective. As an example, knee debridement surgeries (“cleaning up” the inside of the knee) have been shown to be no better than placebo surgeries. As another example, knee surgery for most meniscus tears may not work well and we’re not sure anymore whether most meniscus tears in middle aged to elderly patients even cause pain. The upshot? We’re spending an awful lot of money on knee surgeries that we don’t know to be effective.
If you have questions or comments about this blog post, please email us at [email protected]
NOTE: This blog post provides general information to help the reader better understand regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal health, and related subjects. All content provided in this blog, website, or any linked materials, including text, graphics, images, patient profiles, outcomes, and information, are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always consult with a professional and certified healthcare provider to discuss if a treatment is right for you.
Get Blog Updates by Email
By submitting the form, you are agreeing that you read and consent to our Privacy Policy. We may also contact you via email, phone, and other electronic means to communicate information about our products and services. We do not sell, or share your information to third party vendors.
Chris Centeno, MD is a specialist in regenerative medicine and the new field of Interventional Orthopedics. Centeno pioneered orthopedic stem cell procedures in 2005 and is responsible for a large amount of the published research on stem cell use for orthopedic applications.
Join Chris Centeno, M.D., founder of Regenexx, to learn about how Regenexx procedures can treat your knee injury.
Get Blog Updates by Email
Get fresh updates and insights from Regenexx delivered straight to your inbox.
Find a Regenexx Provider
Regenexx is a world-wide network of specially trained physicians providing the world's most advanced, research-driven, regenerative-medicine treatments in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
Regenerative procedures are commonly used to treat musculoskelatal trauma, overuse injuries, and degenerative issues, including failed surgeries.
Shoulder
Many Shoulder and Rotator Cuff injuries are good candidates for regenerative treatments. Before considering shoulder arthroscopy or shoulder replacement, consider an evaluation of your condition with a regenerative treatment specialist.
Many spine injuries and degenerative conditions are good candidates for regenerative treatments and there are a number of studies showing promising results in treating a wide range of spine problems. Spine surgery should be a last resort for anyone, due to the cascade of negative effects it can have on the areas surrounding the surgery. And epidural steroid injections are problematic due to their long-term negative impact on bone density.
Knees are the target of many common sports injuries. Sadly, they are also the target of a number of surgeries that research has frequently shown to be ineffective or minimally effective. Knee arthritis can also be a common cause for aging athletes to abandon the sports and activities they love. Regenerative procedures can be used to treat a wide range of knee injuries and conditions. They can even be used to reduce pain and delay knee replacement for more severe arthritis.
Many spine injuries and degenerative conditions are good candidates for regenerative treatments and there are a number of studies showing promising results in treating a wide range of spine problems. Spine surgery should be a last resort for anyone, due to the cascade of negative effects it can have on the areas surrounding the surgery. And epidural steroid injections are problematic due to their long-term negative impact on bone density.
Hand and wrist injuries and arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and conditions relating to overuse of the thumb, are good candidates for regenerative treatments. Before considering surgery, consider an evaluation of your condition with a regenerative treatment specialist.
Hand and Wrist Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Trigger Finger
Thumb Arthritis (Basal Joint, CMC, Gamer’s Thumb, Texting Thumb)
Hip injuries and degenerative conditions become more common with age. Do to the nature of the joint, it’s not quite as easy to injure as a knee, but it can take a beating and pain often develops over time. Whether a hip condition is acute or degenerative, regenerative procedures can help reduce pain and may help heal injured tissue, without the complications of invasive surgical hip procedures.
Foot and ankle injuries are common in athletes. These injuries can often benefit from non-surgical regenerative treatments. Before considering surgery, consider an evaluation of your condition with a regenerative treatment specialist.
DISCLAIMER: The procedures and claims made about particular procedures on or through this site have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. All statements, opinions and references provided by GetRegenerative.com are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute an endorsement of any medical provider nor guarantee the efficacy of the treatments provided. Get Regenerative does not diagnose or treat medical conditions via this website or via telephone. This site disclaims any liability for damages or negative consequences from treatments provided by the physicians listed herein to any person referencing GetRegenerative.com.
*DISCLAIMER: Like all medical procedures, Regenexx® Procedures have a success and failure rate. Patient reviews and testimonials on this site should not be interpreted as a statement on the effectiveness of our treatments for anyone else.
Providers listed on the Regenexx website are for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation from Regenexx for a specific provider or a guarantee of the outcome of any treatment you receive.
Find a Provider
