Table 2 Main findings of accelerated and restricted rehabilitations protocols described in literature
From: Rehabilitation and return to sports after isolated meniscal repairs: a new evidence-based protocol
Manuscript | No of patients | WB limitations | ROM limitations | Failure rate and follow-up | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Choi et al. [28] | 14 | Toe-touch WB for 6 weeks, followed by a gradual increase of weight- bearing over the following 4 weeks | ROM exercises were allowed from 0° to 90° of flexion for 6 weeks | Failure rate 7% Follow-up 36 months | Case series: Level of evidence 4 |
Haklar et al. [29] | 5 | No WB 6–8 weeks | ROM 0°-120° | Failure rate 0% Follow-up 31 months | Non-randomised cohort: Level of evidence 3 |
Kocabey et al. [27] | 52 | Immediate WB as tolerated | ROM 0°-125° | Failure rate 4% Follow-up 10 months | Retrospective case series: Level of evidence 4 |
Lind et al. [21] | 60 (32 accelerated protocol, 28 restricted protocol) | Accelerated protocol: 2 weeks toe-touch WB Restricted protocol: 6 weeks toe-touch WB | Accelerated protocol: ROM 0° − 90°, without brace, then return to normal activities Restricted protocol: 6 weeks with locked brace, gradual increase ROM to 90° | Failure rate 28% (accelerated) 36% (restricted) Follow-up 24 months | Randomised controlled clinical trial: Level of evidence 1 |
Logan et al. [31] | 42 | Protected WB for 6 weeks | ROM 0°-120° for 6 weeks | Failure rate 24% Follow-up 102 months | Case series: Level of evidence 4 |
Mariani et al. [11] | 22 | Immediate WB as tolerated | Immobilisation with brace locked in full extension for 1 month, passive ROM 0° − 90° for 2 weeks, than gradual increase | Failure rate 9% Follow-up 28 months | Non-randomised cohort study: Level of evidence 3 |
Noyes et al. [30] | 29 | Partial WB for 4 or 6 weeks | ROM 0°- 135° for 6 weeks | Failure rate 25% Follow-up 51 months | Non-randomised cohort study: Level of evidence 3 |