ReviewOrthopaedic journal of sports medicine2019
Quality and Variability of Online Available Physical Therapy Protocols From Academic Orthopaedic Surgery Programs for Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.
Review in Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 19 citations in OpenAlex.
- Protocols of rehabilitation and return to sport, and clinical outcomes after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with and without tibial tuberosity osteotomy: a systematic review.International orthopaedics · 2022Pooled it
- Meta-Analysis of Knee Joint Function Recovery after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction by Accelerated Rehabilitation Surgery.Computational intelligence and neuroscience · 2022Pooled it
- Rehabilitation Protocols Following Patellar Instability Surgery: A Structured Review of Published Recommendations and AI Generated Guidance.Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine · 2026Review
- Validation of the ACL Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) Scale in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2026Article
- Substantial variability and inconsistent quality of publicly available rehabilitation protocols after quadriceps tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A cross-sectional analysis of academic orthopaedic surgery programmes.Journal of experimental orthopaedics · 2026Article
- Current Concept Review: Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction: From Rehabilitation to Return to Sport.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2025Article
- Trochleoplasty Utilization in the Management of Patellofemoral Instability: Results From an International Survey of Surgeons.Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2025Article
- Is There a Strength Deficit of the Quadriceps Femoris Muscle in Patients Treated Conservatively or Surgically after Primary or Recurrent Patellar Dislocations? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Review
- Variable Guidelines for Pediatric Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Exists Across PRiSM Member Organizations.HSS journal : the musculoskeletal journal of Hospital for Special Surgery · 2024Review
- Return to Play Considerations After Patellar Instability.Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine · 2022Review
- YouTube Videos Lack Efficacy as a Patient Education Tool for Rehabilitation and Return to Play Following Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation · 2022Article
- Analysis of Hemodynamic Changes After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.Sports medicine international open · 2022Article
- Rehabilitation and Return to Sport After Medial Patellofemoral Complex Reconstruction.Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation · 2022Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundUnlike the literature on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, studies on medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction lack evidence-based guidelines regarding postoperative rehabilitation. An effective postoperative protocol may contribute greatly to a successful outcome following MPFL reconstruction, yet the quality and variability of these published protocols remain unknown. PURPOSE: To assess the quality and variability of MPFL rehabilitation protocols publicly available on the internet and associated with US academic orthopaedic programs. STUDY
designSystematic review.
methodsAll available isolated MPFL reconstruction rehabilitation protocols from US academic orthopaedic programs participating in the Electronic Residency Application Service were collected and included in this review. These protocols were evaluated for inclusion of various rehabilitation components, the timing of suggested initiation of these activities, and whether the protocol used evaluation-based guidelines.
resultsA total of 27 protocols were included. Of these, 25 (93%) recommended immediate postoperative bracing. Time to initiation of full weightbearing ranged from 2 to 8 weeks. The most common strengthening exercises endorsed were quadriceps sets (89%), straight-legged raise (85%), and leg press (81%). The most common proprioception exercises endorsed were balance board (41%), single-legged balance (41%), and TheraBand control (33%). The median time suggested to return to play was 17 weeks. No functional test appeared in the majority of the protocols. Of the 27 protocols, 20 (74%) used evaluation-based guidelines.
conclusionThere is substantial variability in content and timing across rehabilitation protocols following MPFL reconstruction. This lack of clear guidelines can cause confusion among patients, therapists, and surgeons, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes and making it difficult to compare outcomes across the literature.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.