Orthopaedic Surgeons Perceptions on Arthroscopy for Knee OA
Orthopaedic Surgeons Perceptions on Arthroscopy for Knee OA
Two hundred seventy-nine surgeons from 57 countries participated in the survey. Nearly half of the participants (53%) were from European countries, 23% from North America, 13% from Asia and the Middle East, 8% from South America and 3% from African countries (Figure 1A). Of the responders, 201 (72%) provided information regarding their status (56% senior surgeons, 22% residents, 22% fellows); and 206 (74%) answered the question regarding their field of sub-specialty. Figure 1B represents the distribution of the questionnaire participants' reported subspecialty: 21% were knee or joint surgeons, 18% were 'general' orthopaedic surgeons, 12% were orthopaedics trauma surgeons, 7% were sports surgeons, and 42% were grouped as 'other' and included shoulder, hip, spine, oncology, and pediatric orthopaedic subspecialties. The reported mean experience was 10.9 years (range, 1–45 yr). Of all the orthopaedic surgeons surveyed, a vast majority (73%) answered that they would not recommend arthroscopy for knee OA. Comparison between American and non-American orthopaedic surgeons revealed a significant difference in preference. As demonstrated in Figure 2, 29.8% of non-American orthopaedic surgeons surveyed recommended arthroscopy for knee OA, in comparison to only 15.6% of Americans (P=0.02).
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Figure 1.
Demographics of surgeons included in the study. (A) The geographic distribution of the survey participants. (B) The distribution of the five major orthopaedic subspecialties.
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Figure 2.
Arthroscopy in knee osteoarthritis is significantly more popular outside the United-States (*P<0.05).
Subsequently, we conducted a subgroup analysis within the non-American group. No significant differences were found in terms of surgical attitude between all regions included in the non-American group (P>0.05). No significant differences were found between surgeons of different subspecialties, seniority, or years of experience (P>0.05).
Results
Two hundred seventy-nine surgeons from 57 countries participated in the survey. Nearly half of the participants (53%) were from European countries, 23% from North America, 13% from Asia and the Middle East, 8% from South America and 3% from African countries (Figure 1A). Of the responders, 201 (72%) provided information regarding their status (56% senior surgeons, 22% residents, 22% fellows); and 206 (74%) answered the question regarding their field of sub-specialty. Figure 1B represents the distribution of the questionnaire participants' reported subspecialty: 21% were knee or joint surgeons, 18% were 'general' orthopaedic surgeons, 12% were orthopaedics trauma surgeons, 7% were sports surgeons, and 42% were grouped as 'other' and included shoulder, hip, spine, oncology, and pediatric orthopaedic subspecialties. The reported mean experience was 10.9 years (range, 1–45 yr). Of all the orthopaedic surgeons surveyed, a vast majority (73%) answered that they would not recommend arthroscopy for knee OA. Comparison between American and non-American orthopaedic surgeons revealed a significant difference in preference. As demonstrated in Figure 2, 29.8% of non-American orthopaedic surgeons surveyed recommended arthroscopy for knee OA, in comparison to only 15.6% of Americans (P=0.02).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 1.
Demographics of surgeons included in the study. (A) The geographic distribution of the survey participants. (B) The distribution of the five major orthopaedic subspecialties.
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 2.
Arthroscopy in knee osteoarthritis is significantly more popular outside the United-States (*P<0.05).
Subsequently, we conducted a subgroup analysis within the non-American group. No significant differences were found in terms of surgical attitude between all regions included in the non-American group (P>0.05). No significant differences were found between surgeons of different subspecialties, seniority, or years of experience (P>0.05).