Placebo Trials in Orthopaedic Surgery

Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, vol. 36, pp. 2777–2778

Abstract

The authors of “Sham Surgery Studies in Orthopaedic Surgery May Just Be a Sham: A Systematic Review of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials”1 cast a critical eye on placebo surgical trials. We applaud any attempt to identify the methodologic limitations of scientific research and to ask researchers to aim higher. We do, however, have concerns about the recommendations made and the conduct and conclusions of the study.

Authors 3

1. Ian Andrew Harris

   UNSW Sydney

   Affiliation as printed

   South Western Sydney Clinical School Faculty of Medicine UNSW Sydney Sydney Australia

   South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia

2. Rudolf Wilhelm Poolman Aachen Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

   Leiden University Medical Center · OLVG

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University Medical Center LUMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Leiden

   Leiden University Medical Center LUMC, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Leiden

   OLVG, Jointresearch, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

3. Rachelle Buchbinder

   Monash University · OLVG

   Affiliation as printed

   Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology Cabrini Institute Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Monash University Melbourne Australia

   OLVG Jointresearch Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Amsterdam The Netherlands

   Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Cabrini Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia