Rehabilitation Variability Following Osteochondral Autograft and Allograft Transplantation of the Knee

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the variability of postoperative rehabilitation protocols used by orthopedic surgery residency programs for osteochondral autograft transplantation (OAT) and osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) of the knee. DESIGN: Online postoperative OAT and OCA rehabilitation protocols from US orthopedic programs and the scientific literature were reviewed. A custom scoring rubric was developed to analyze each protocol for the presence of discrete rehabilitation modalities and the timing of each intervention. RESULTS: A total of 16 programs (10.3%) from 155 US academic orthopedic programs published online protocols and a total of 35 protocols were analyzed. Twenty-one protocols (88%) recommended immediate postoperative bracing following OAT and 17 protocols (100%) recommended immediate postoperative bracing following OCA. The average time protocols permitted weight-bearing as tolerated (WBAT) was 5.2 weeks (range = 0-8 weeks) following OAT and 6.2 weeks (range = 0-8 weeks) following OCA. There was considerable variation in the inclusion and timing of strength, proprioception, agility, and pivoting exercises. Following OAT, 2 protocols (8%) recommended functional testing as criteria for return to sport at an average time of 12.0 weeks (range = 12-24 weeks). Following OCA, 1 protocol (6%) recommended functional testing as criteria for return to sport at an average time of 12.0 weeks (range = 12-24 weeks). CONCLUSION: A minority of US academic orthopedic programs publish OAT and OCA rehabilitation protocols online. Among the protocols currently available, there is significant variability in the inclusion of specific rehabilitation components and timing of many modalities. Evidence-based standardization of elements of postoperative rehabilitation may help improve patient care and subsequent outcomes.