Open AccessQuality and Variability of Physical Therapy Protocols Varies Widely for Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Femoral Condyles
Author(s) -
Ignacio García-Mansilla,
Andromahi Trivellas,
Amit Singla,
Benjamin Kelley,
Kristofer J. Jones
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
cartilage
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1947-6043
pISSN - 1947-6035
DOI - 10.1177/19476035221073999
Subject(s) - rehabilitation , medicine , orthopedic surgery , protocol (science) , transplantation , physical therapy , femoral condyle , identification (biology) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , pathology , alternative medicine , cartilage , botany , biology , anatomy
Objective To assess the quality and variability of osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation rehabilitation protocols associated with academic orthopedic programs in the United States.Design A systematic review was performed to collect all publicly available online rehabilitation protocols for femoral condyle OCA transplant from US academic orthopedic programs participating in the Electronic Residency Application Service. These protocols were evaluated for inclusion of different rehabilitation components as well as timing of suggested initiation of these activities.Results A total of 22 protocols were included. Although 91% of protocols recommended bracing, wide variation exists in total time of utilization. Median time for full weight bearing (FWB) was 7 weeks (range 4-8). On average, each protocol mentioned 9 (range 2-18) different strengthening exercises. The median time suggested to return to high-impact activities was 9 months (range 8-12). Only 3 protocols (14%) offered criteria of advancement for each phase as well as criteria for discharge.Conclusion Very few of the academic orthopedic programs have published online rehabilitation protocols following OCA transplantation. Although there is wide variation between the protocols, it allowed the identification of trends or patterns that are more common. However, there is need for more standardized evidence-based rehabilitation protocols which are easy to understand and follow by patients.