Disagreement Persists on Optimal Rehabilitation Goals and Timelines for Weight-Bearing Restriction, Knee Brace Use,...

To assess the variability of rehabilitation protocols for both isolated posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstructions and those with a concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)/posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction, to construct uniform rehabilitative protocol recommendations, and to propose rehabilitative outcome measures for future PLC-related clinical studies.

A Google search was conducted for online PLC reconstruction rehabilitation protocols, categorizing them into isolated PLC reconstructions or PLC with concomitant ACL/PCL reconstructions. Rehabilitative goals and timelines were described and agreement rates among protocols were calculated. Comparisons were made between groups and before/after 2019, when a global consensus was published. Common rehabilitative goals with high agreement rates were used to form a recommended protocol.

Thirty-seven protocols were analyzed (19 isolated PLC, 9 PLC + PCL, and 9 PLC + ACL). Overall, 31% of rehabilitative goals and timelines had good-to-excellent agreement rates. Post-2019 consensus, adherence to a stepwise rehabilitative approach significantly improved, especially for initiating strength exercises after muscular endurance exercises (P = .009) and initiating power exercises after strength exercises (P = . 031). However, there was no significant change in overall agreement rates (P = . 735). Most disagreements involved postoperative weight-bearing restrictions, with one half of protocols recommending non-weight-bearing and one half partial-weight-bearing; the period of time a knee brace is required after 6 weeks; and return to sports timing, which differed with concomitant ACL (later return) and PCL (earlier return) reconstructions.

There is disagreement about optimal rehabilitative goals and timelines for weight-bearing restriction, knee brace use, and return to sports after PLC reconstructions. Rehabilitative outcomes that warrant further research were identified, and a suggested rehabilitation protocol was constructed.

Rehabilitation after PLC reconstruction lacks standardization, with significant variation in key milestones such as weight-bearing, knee bracing, and return-to-sport timelines. This study provides an analysis of current rehabilitation protocol inconsistencies and offers a structured recommendation that may assist clinicians and physiotherapists in patient counseling and protocol development.