The value of reducing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in the treatment of degenerative meniscus tears: a budget impact analysis

AimsNumerous studies have shown that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) is not (cost-) effective in patients with symptoms attributed to a degenerative meniscus tear. We aimed to assess the budget impact of reducing APM in routine clinical practice in this population. Materials and methodsA patient-level state transition model was developed to simulate patients recently diagnosed with a degenerative meniscus tear. Three strategies were compared: current guideline (i.e., postpone surgery to at least 3 months after diagnosis), APM at any time (i.e., APM available directly after diagnosis), and nonsurgical (i.e., APM no longer performed). Total societal costs over 5 years were calculated to determine the budget impact. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were conducted to address uncertainty. ResultsThe average cost per patient over 5 years were EUR 5,077, EUR 4,577, and EUR 4,218, for the APM at any time, current guideline, and nonsurgical strategy, respectively. Removing APM from the treatment mix (i.e., 30,000 patients per year) in the Netherlands, resulted in a reduction in health care expenditures of EUR 54 million (95 percent confidence interval [CI] EUR 38 million-EUR 70 million) compared to the current guideline strategy and EUR 129 million (95 percent CI EUR 102 million-EUR 156 million) compared to the APM at any time strategy. Sensitivity analyses showed that uncertainty did not alter our conclusions. ConclusionsSubstantial costs can be saved when APM is no longer performed to treat symptoms attributed to degenerative meniscus tears in the Netherlands. It is therefore recommended to further reduce the use of APM to treat degenerative meniscus tears.

Automated summary

Numerous studies have shown that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) is not (cost-) effective in patients with symptoms attributed to a degenerative meniscus tear. The study found that not performing APM to treat degenerative meniscus tears in the Netherlands can significantly reduce healthcare expenditures by €54 million. Therefore, it is recommended to further reduce the use of APM for this condition.