ABSTRACT
A study in the July 11, 2002, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reported that many patients who received only simulated surgery on their arthritic knees did as well as, and at times better than, the group who were the subjects of actual surgical interventions. Patients who received placebo surgery experienced less pain. Their knees functioned better for two years following incisions simulating arthroscopic surgery. No cartilage was actually removed. 1
