Return to Sports Participation after Articular Cartilage Repair in the Knee

Abstract

Articular cartilage repair in the athletic population allows for a high rate of return to sports, often at the preinjury level. Return to sports participation is influenced by several independent factors. The findings provide pertinent information that is helpful for the clinical decision-making process and for the management of the athlete's postoperative expectations.

Current Concepts for Rehabilitation and Return to Sport After Knee Articular Cartilage Repair in the Athlete

“…119 Patient age is a significant predictor of outcomes after articular cartilage repair. 16,119,123 Cartilage repair in older individuals may be slower, due to age-dependent changes in metabolic activity, repair processes, and matrix synthesis.…”

“…119 Patient age is a significant predictor of outcomes after articular cartilage repair. 16,119,123 Cartilage repair in older individuals may be slower, due to age-dependent changes in metabolic activity, repair processes, and matrix synthesis. 176,184 Similarly, patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m 2 may need slower progression during rehabilitation.…”

“…Current surgical and rehabilitation tech- 118,119 Return to competition was demonstrated in 59% to 66% (range, 25%-100%) of athletes after microfracture, with 57% returning to their preoperative performance level. 64,118,120,126 Successful return to athletic activity was reported in 91% to 93% (range, 86%-94%) of athletes after OATS as early as 6 to 9 months postoperatively.…”

Return to running following knee osteochondral repair using an anti-gravity treadmill: A case report

“…The timing of a return to running after osteochondral surgery varies depending on individual and surgical factors but is generally between 6 to 12 months post-surgery. 27 Anti-gravity treadmills are being increasingly used after knee surgery to reduce ground reaction forces during walking and running to facilitate postoperative rehabilitation. 4,9 Muscle activity decreases as body weight decreases on an antigravity treadmill, but the percentage change in muscle activity is less than the percentage change in body weight.…”

Autologous chondrocyte implantation for cartilage repair: current perspectives

“…Additionally, the effects of microfracture are related to the patient's age, and so older patients do not seem to profit from this specific treatment. 6,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] The repair tissue response can be unpredictable; fibrous soft, spongiform tissue combined with central degeneration is frequently found, and patients may have to adjust their activity level to that of their knee function. 17 Another reason for the deterioration of the clinical outcome after microfracture over time might be the development of subchondral sclerosis, cysts, or the formation of intralesional osteophytes.…”