REHABILITATION PROTOCOLS AFTER TREATMENT FOR FULL THICKNESS CHONDRAL LESIONS OF THE KNEE – IS THERE A UK CONSENSUS?

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish if there is a consensus amongst knee surgeons in U.K. related to rehabilitation protocols following microfracture/drilling procedure performed for treatment of full thickness chondral lesions of the knee. Successful rehabilitation is accepted to be essential for achievement of best results.

A questionnaire was produced including questions about use of a CPM machine, use of a brace, weight-bearing status, use of an exercise bike, time allowed for patient to resume running, time allowed for patient to return to contact sports and surgeon’s expectancy of when symptoms will plateau. A simple scenario was put at the beginning of the questionnaire: “ A 23 year-old rugby player sustained a full thickness 1.5 x 1.5 cm chondral fracture on

1. the medial femoral condyle and

2. the femoral trochlea.

The lesion is treated using microfracture or a standard debridement method – post-operatively how is the patient managed?”. Questions were asked with regard to each site. The questionnaire was sent to BASK members. One hundred and twenty surgeons replied.

Analysis of responses showed an unexpected variability regarding the rehabilitation for patients having treatment for a full thickness chondral lesion, with no common agreement (less than 50%) even about such aspects as the use of CPM, allowed range of motion, weight bearing status or return to sport.

There is a marked disparity amongst knee surgeons in UK regarding the protocol of rehabilitation after treatment for full thickness chondral lesions of the knee. The majority of patients suitable for microfracture are young and active and a successful rehabilitation program is crucial to optimize the results of surgery. There is a need for development of accepted practice guidelines, to standardise the outcome for these patients.