Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42443851›Full record

Observational studyBMC musculoskeletal disorders2026

Beyond patient perception: PROMs correlate with objective functional tests following knee cartilage repair.

Niklas Wegerich, Tizian Heinz, Sebastian Frischholz, Annette Eidmann, Ioannis Stratos, Konstantin Horas, Stephan Reppenhagen, Maximilian Rudert, Manuel Weißenberger

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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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

9 authors.

Niklas Wegerich *Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, 97074, Germany.
Tizian Heinz *Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, 97074, Germany.
Sebastian FrischholzDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, 97074, Germany.
Annette EidmannDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, 97074, Germany.
Ioannis StratosDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, 97074, Germany.
Konstantin HorasDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, 97074, Germany.
Stephan ReppenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, 97074, Germany.
Maximilian RudertDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, 97074, Germany.
Manuel WeißenbergerDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, 97074, Germany. manuel.weissenberger@googlemail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPatient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are widely used to evaluate subjective knee function after cartilage repair surgery, but their association with objective functional performance is unclear. This study explored correlations between PROMs and functional performance tests in patients after knee cartilage repair.

methodsIn this monocentric observational study, 52 patients from the German Cartilage Registry underwent standardized functional testing at a mean follow-up of 66.8 months. PROMs included the subjective IKDC score and KOOS subscales. Functional performance comprised isometric strength testing, single-leg hop tests (SLHD), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Timed 6-Meter Hop (T6H), 30-second Sit-to-Stand, and Single Leg Stance. Spearman correlations were calculated between PROMs and limb symmetry indices or performance categories.

resultsDynamic unilateral hop tests showed the strongest associations with PROMs, with SLHD symmetry correlating strongly with IKDC (ρ = 0.540) and moderately with all KOOS subscales. T6H performance also correlated strongly with IKDC and KOOS Sport. Knee extension strength showed moderate correlations with IKDC and KOOS Sport, whereas flexion strength and low-demand tests (TUG, Single Leg Stance) showed no significant associations.

conclusionPROMs demonstrate moderate, test-dependent correlations with objective functional performance after knee cartilage repair, particularly for dynamic unilateral tasks. PROMs reflect functional impairment but cannot replace objective testing. Therefore, a combined assessment approach is recommended.

Indexed as

Cartilage, ArticularKnee InjuriesKnee JointPatient Reported Outcome MeasuresAdultExercise TestFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedRecovery of FunctionRegistriesTreatment OutcomeFnee functionFunctional performanceHop testsIKDCKnee cartilage repairKOOSLimb symmetry indexPatient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)RehabilitationReturn to sports

Identifiers

PMID42443851
PMCPMC13401292

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Registered trials

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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.