Cost-effectiveness study of outpatient physiotherapy after medial meniscectomy

In a randomised controlled trial comparing the outcome of two groups of men aged 16-45 one group received outpatient physiotherapy after medial meniscectomy and the other did not. In clinical aspects of knee function there was no significant difference between the test group and control group measured at specified intervals up to 26 weeks postoperatively. Similarly, there was no significant difference between the groups in the time taken to return to work or in the mean fall in take-home pay as a result of meniscectomy. The mean cost per patient of providing outpatient physiotherapy in the test group was 23 pounds at 1976 prices. Thus the least costly way of returning male patients aged 16-45 to activity is by not providing routine outpatient physiotherapy after medial meniscectomy. Further randomised controlled trials are, however, required to determine the value of physiotherapy in other age groups and other conditions.