Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

Articles by Dr. Erdman are for informational purposes, and are not to be taken as specific medical advice.

One of the most common surgeries performed by orthopedic surgeons is a meniscectomy – or trimming of the torn meniscus and smoothing the jagged edges of what remains. Most times, it is just assumed that this tear is what is causing the pain.

This arthroscopic surgery is performed some 700,000 times a year costing $4 billion. Several studies over the last 10 years have given rise to the question of necessity of this surgery for the most common cause, wear and tear.  80% of meniscal tears develop over time from simple wear and tear.

The latest study out of Finland, examined 146 people with degenerative meniscal tears (caused by wear and tear, not acute injury). One group received standard surgery and the other a “sham” or fake surgery. After one year, both groups reported equally favorable outcomes, which was primarily less knee pain. In the end, the researchers concluded that the real arthroscopic surgeries had no better outcome than the fake ones.

Discs

Articles by Dr. Erdman are for informational purposes, and are not to be taken as specific medical advice.

It’s been awhile since I’ve written on a chiropractic specific topic. There is a lot of misinformation about intervertebral discs from many sources. Most doctors believe that once a spinal disc or nerve is damaged, you need surgery or are forced to live with pain, weakness and organ malfunction for the rest of your life.

The truth is that while the spine can and does easily degenerate, it can also regenerate. Conditions once thought to be permanent can many times be stopped, and sometimes reversed. Chiropractic, like medicine, is becoming more specialized all the time. The special training necessary to physically change your condition by fixing your postural problems is not to be found at every office, nor is every patient a candidate to be fixed. The process of rehabilitating a degenerated spine is time consuming and requires significant active participation from the patient. Not everyone is willing to put in the time and effort necessary to achieve a better spine.