Standardized Rehabilitation or Individual Approach?—A Retrospective Analysis of Early Rehabilitation Protocols after Isolated Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

(1) Background: Isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears represent a severe type of injury. In hospitals, PCL reconstruction (PCL-R) is less frequently performed than other types of knee surgery. It is unclear whether there is consensus among surgeons on how to perform rehabilitation after PCL-R or if there are different, more individual approaches in daily routines. (2) Methods: Rehabilitation protocols and their main criteria (the progression of weight bearing and range of motion, the use of knee braces, rehabilitation training, and sports-specific training) were retrospectively analyzed after PCL-R. (3) Results: Only 33 of 120 (27.5%) analyzed institutes use rehabilitation protocols after PCL-R. The applied protocols showed vast differences between the individual rehabilitation criteria, especially with regard to the progression of weight bearing and the range of motion. The only standardized recommendations were the obligatory use of knee braces and the general restriction of weight bearing and range of motion immediately post-surgery. Therefore, because of the lack of a consensus about a standardized rehabilitation protocol after PCL-R, no recommendation can be made on one particular protocol. (4) Conclusion: There is no acknowledged standardized rehabilitation protocol after PCL-R. In clinical practice, recommendations are influenced by, i.a., surgeons’ opinions and experience. The lack of scientific evidence on a particular standardized rehabilitation protocol after PCL-R suggests that rehabilitation protocols need to be tailored to the individual patient.

Quo vadis, Nachbehandlung? – Nachbehandlungsschemata kritisch betrachtet

“…Offensichtlich gibt es eine beträchtliche Anzahl an Chirurg*innen, die kein Prozedere für die Nachbehandlung definieren bzw. schriftlich fixieren 22 ( ABB. 1 ).…”

“…Sie sind daher in keiner Weise patientenzentriert und in der Durchführung schlichtweg unrealistisch. Clemens Memmel und sein Forschungsteam sehen daher in der Abkehr von einer rein zeitlichen Steuerung den Schritt hin zu einer individuellen patientenzentrierten Versorgung 22 .…”

Clinical Effectiveness of Arthroscopy-Assisted Fixation in the Treatment of Avulsed Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

“…Advancements in surgical techniques have led to more effective postoperative rehabilitation protocols. This protocol ensures that patients regain strength and range of motion in a controlled manner, promoting better long-term outcomes [55].…”