Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Trendy Knee Surgery May Be Fixing A Ligament That Doesn't Even Exist
After researchers discovered a new knee ligament, a procedure to fix it gained popularity. But now experts say it's a "leap of faith" to think the procedure does anything to help the knee — and are even questioning if the ligament exists.
For professional athletes and weekend warriors alike, it appeared to be welcome news: the discovery by researchers of a new knee ligament that, if repaired, might help tens of thousands of people with an injury from sports or an accident. In the fall of 2013, a study about the finding was published in a small medical journal, generating extensive press coverage in the United States and Europe. A Florida company quickly began marketing a repair procedure those researchers helped develop. And soon, patients were asking about the knee surgery, and doctors were performing it. (Meier, 7/25)
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
