Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42549304›Full record

ArticleJournal of experimental orthopaedics2026

ACL rehabilitation after reconstruction: Evidence-based consensus recommendations from the German Knee Society-Part IV.

Martin Häner, Wolf Petersen, Arthur Praetorius, Natalie Mengis, Thomas Stoffels, Daniel Guenther, Thomas Pfeiffer, Julian Mehl, Andree Ellermann, Christian Eberle and 25 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of experimental orthopaedics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing 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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
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

35 authors.

Martin HänerDepartment of Orthopedics Sportsclinic Berlin, Martin Luther Hospital Berlin Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9772-5175
Wolf PetersenDepartment of Orthopedics Sportsclinic Berlin, Martin Luther Hospital Berlin Germany.
Arthur PraetoriusKlinik für Arthroskopische Chirurgie, Sporttraumatologie und Sportmedizin, Athletikum Rhein-Ruhr, BG Klinikum Duisburg Duisburg Deutschland.
Natalie MengisKantonsspital Baselland (Bruderholz) Liestal Switzerland.
Thomas StoffelsOC Stadtmitte Berlin Germany.
Daniel GuentherDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Trauma Surgery, and Sports Medicine, Cologne-Merheim Medical Center (CMMC) Witten-Herdecke University Cologne Germany.
Thomas PfeifferDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Trauma Surgery, and Sports Medicine, Cologne-Merheim Medical Center (CMMC) Witten-Herdecke University Cologne Germany.
Julian MehlDepartment for Orthopedic Sports Medicine Technical University Munich (TUM) Munich Germany.
Andree EllermannArcus Sportklinik Pforzheim Germany.
Christian EberleArcus Sportklinik Pforzheim Germany.
Thomas SteinDepartment of Sports Medicine Goethe University Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main Germany.
Christian SchoeppDepartment of Arthroscopic Surgery, Sports Traumatology, and Sports Medicine BG Klinikum Duisburg gGmbH Duisburg Germany.
Jürgen HöherSportsclinic Cologne Köln Germany.
Sven SchefflerSporthopaedicum Berlin Berlin Germany.
Amelie StöhrOCM Clinic Munich Munich Germany.
Mirko HerbortOCM Clinic Munich Munich Germany.
Tobias JungCenter for Musculoskeletal Surgery Charité-University Medicine Berlin Germany.
Christoph KittlDepartment of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery Westphalian Wilhelms University Muenster Muenster Germany.
Philipp-Johannes BraunDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery BG Hospital Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin Germany.
Katrin KarpinskiDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery BG Hospital Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin Germany.
Andrea AchtnichDepartment for Orthopedic Sports Medicine Technical University Munich (TUM) Munich Germany.
Raymond BestSPORTHEUM, Sportsclinic Fellbach Germany.
Ben WagenerDepartment of Arthroscopic Surgery, Sports Traumatology, and Sports Medicine BG Klinikum Duisburg gGmbH Duisburg Germany.
Jochen BellerichMedical Park Chiemsee Rehabilitationsklinik für Orthopädie Traumatologie und Sportmedizin Chiemsee Germany.
Lena EggelingDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Sports Traumatology, BG Klinikum Hamburg Hamburg Germany.
Tobias GensiorOPND, Orthopädische Praxisklinik Neuss Düsseldorf Neuss Germany.
Christina ValleKlinikum Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Sportorthopädie, TUM Klinikum Rechts der Isar München Germany.
Janina TennlerKlinik für Arthroskopische Chirurgie, Sporttraumatologie und Sportmedizin, Athletikum Rhein-Ruhr, BG Klinikum Duisburg Duisburg Deutschland.
Sebastian StemmlerMedical Park Chiemsee, Rehabilitationsklinik für die Fachbereiche Orthopädie Traumatologie und Sportmedizin Bernau am Chiemsee Deutschland.
Matthias JägerS | Medicalcenter Neckarsulm Germany.
Lars-Christopher FärberOrthosportiv München Germany.
Clemens BaierOrthopädie Regensburg MVZ Regensburg Germany.
Alexandra SchöllkopfSimssee-Klinik Bad Endorf Germany.
Max WießmeierPhysiotherapie & Training Max Wießmeier Frankfurt am Main Deutschland.
Daniel NiedererInstitute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Goethe University Frankfurt Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7690-5418

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this consensus was to provide evidence-based recommendations for individual rehabilitation interventions following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. These recommendations are intended to complement, rather than replace, comprehensive criterion-based rehabilitation protocols. Methods: A modified Delphi process conducted by the German Knee Society evaluated 29 rehabilitation topics. Evidence from systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies (A1-C) was summarized and rated by an expert panel. Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement between raters. Statements were graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework, specifying the certainty of evidence. Results: Consensus was achieved for 25 topics (86%). Moderate-certainty evidence (B2) indicates that early weight bearing likely results in safe functional recovery. Supervised and unsupervised exercise (A2-B2) likely results in improved strength and function. Rehabilitation lasting ≥9 months (A1) likely results in optimal recovery guided by functional progress. Neuromuscular training (A1) and proprioceptive training (B2) likely improve sensorimotor control and functional outcomes. Plyometric (B2) and eccentric exercises (B2), as well as blood flow restriction (A1), likely result in enhanced quadriceps strength and muscle mass. Core stability exercises (C) and aquatic therapy (B1) likely improve knee function and facilitate early return to activity. Adjunctive modalities, such as cryotherapy (A2), likely reduce pain and swelling; KT (C) and digital applications (B1) may improve early-phase outcomes. Interventions such as whole-body vibration training (B2) and cross-education (C) showed inconsistent or insufficient benefits. Rehabilitation should be individualized according to patient-specific factors, concomitant injuries and functional progress. Conclusion: These consensus recommendations provide a multimodal, evidence-based framework for anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation. Following these recommendations likely reduces variability in clinical practice, supports safe return to sport and might lower the risk of re-injury. Level of Evidence: Level V, expert consensus.

Indexed as

ACL reconstructionconsensus guidelinesneuromuscular trainingproprioceptionrehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID42549304
PMCPMC13431688

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