Sham surgery: justified but practical? A systematic review of sham surgery trials in orthopaedics

Abstract

BACKGROUND: An increasing trend for sham surgery trials in minor orthopaedic procedures has been observed. Trial outcomes have changed the practice landscape of these procedures. However, there has been no sham surgery trial in a major orthopaedic procedure. The aims of this systematic review were to consider the ethics of sham surgery trials; to describe orthopaedic sham surgery trials conducted to date; and to consider the challenges that will need to be overcome in order to conduct sham surgery trials for major orthopaedic procedures in the future. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature and clinical trial registries was undertaken. Trials with a published main findings paper und..