Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40295137›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Perceptions, expectations and experiences of recovery before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: the patient voice - a protocol for a qualitative systematic review with meta-aggregation.

Andrew Middlebrook, Alison B Rushton, Charlotte Halpin, Nicola R Heneghan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Andrew MiddlebrookMusculoskeletal Physiotherapy Department, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, West Bromwich, UK.
Alison B RushtonSchool of Physical Therapy, Western University Faculty of Health Sciences, London, Ontario, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8114-7669
Charlotte HalpinDepartment of Musculoskeletal Therapy, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Nicola R HeneghanSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK n.heneghan@bham.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7599-3674

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a common yet significant musculoskeletal problem and are increasingly prevalent outside of elite athlete populations. As a result, individuals may undergo ACL reconstruction (ACLR), but long-term complications frequently persist. Individuals commonly believe that post-ACLR, they will eventually return to preinjury levels of function. However, for multiple reasons, the reality is that more than half fail to reach this preinjury level. Rehabilitation has traditionally focused on physical factors, which have been researched extensively. More recently, psychological factors affecting recovery have been examined. However, most literature focuses on 'outcome', with the patient voice, in terms of their views and perceptions of ACLR neglected. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to understand individuals' perceptions, expectations and experiences pre-ACLR and post-ACLR and to understand key factors influencing this journey. Such knowledge would assist in maximising the chances of successful recovery. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This meta-aggregative systematic review protocol is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols. Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and SportDiscus databases, grey literature and key journals will be searched from inception. Qualitative research of any study design that includes individuals aged 16+ years who are awaiting or have undergone ACL reconstruction will be included. Studies focusing on ACL revision, ACL repair or multiligament reconstruction surgeries will be excluded. Two independent reviewers will conduct searches, determine study eligibility, extract data, assess methodological quality (Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist for qualitative research) and rate the overall confidence in findings (JBI ConQual). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, as well as presented at conferences and locally to physiotherapy teams. Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024594621.

Indexed as

Anterior Cruciate Ligament InjuriesAnterior Cruciate Ligament ReconstructionHumansMeta-Analysis as TopicQualitative ResearchRecovery of FunctionResearch DesignSystematic Reviews as TopicORTHOPAEDIC & TRAUMA SURGERYPatient Care ManagementQUALITATIVE RESEARCHREHABILITATION MEDICINE

Identifiers

PMID40295137
PMCPMC12039038

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.