Surgical Trends in Treatment of Meniscus Tears: Analysis of Data from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Certification Examination Database

Objectives:The indications and criteria for meniscal repair are expanding in parallel with new understanding in pathophysiology, biomechanics and novel surgical techniques. In learning from the previous management of meniscal tears with total meniscectomy, there is growing concern for preservation of meniscus and its implication in the development of osteoarthritic changes, specifically in the young population. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) has developed a comparative effectiveness program that intends to assist in the geographic variation in various orthopaedic practices, trends in practice patterns for the treatment of various conditions, and the differential effectiveness of certain procedures in the treatment of various conditions. The objective of this study is to analyze the surgical management trends of meniscal pathology from 2004-2012 among recent orthopaedic graduates.Methods:A query of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) database was used to identify patients fro...