The Meniscal Transplant surgery or Optimised Rehabilitation full randomised trial (MeTeOR2)

Background

The meniscus is a c-shaped knee cartilage structure which distributes force between joint surfaces. Meniscal tears can occur, and often the torn parts are removed with keyhole surgery called arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. In Australia approximately 37,000 meniscectomies were performed between 2020-21, 10% were in young adults (< 30 years). 

Some people have considerable and persistent pain and impaired function after meniscectomy, and how to best treat this is unknown. Meniscal Allograft Transplant (MAT) is a treatment option where a donor meniscus is implanted into the knee. However, there is a lack of evidence whether this procedure is superior to physiotherapy.

Aim

To see if MAT surgery or Personalised Knee Therapy (PKT) is the most clinically and or cost-effective treatment, for people with knee pain and/or functional loss after a meniscectomy.

Research Methodology

METEOR2 is a two-armed multi-centred pragmatic, international, randomised controlled trial to assess the cost-effectiveness of MAT compared to optimised rehabilitation using a physiotherapy package called PKT. 

Data will be collected at baseline, 3-, 6-, 12-,18- and 24-months in the form of questionnaires.

Questionnaires will assess symptom severity, how these symptoms affect activities of daily living, quality of life, healthcare utilisation and any health changes.

Currently have sites in Brisbane and Sydney with a further site proposed in the Gold Coast.

Current Status

Recently recruited and randomised our first participant in Sydney.