Abstract :
[en] Abstract
Background: The evidence supporting best practice guidelines in the field of cartilage repair of the ankle are based on
both low quality and low levels of evidence. Therefore, an international consensus group of experts was convened to
collaboratively advance toward consensus opinions based on the best available evidence on key topics within cartilage
repair of the ankle. The purpose of this article is to report the consensus statements on Rehabilitation and Return to
Sports developed at the 2017 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle.
Methods: Seventy-five international experts in cartilage repair of the ankle representing 25 countries and 1 territory were
convened and participated in a process based on the Delphi method of achieving consensus. Questions and statements
were drafted within 11 working groups focusing on specific topics within cartilage repair of the ankle, after which a
comprehensive literature review was performed and the available evidence for each statement was graded. Discussion and
debate occurred in cases where statements were not agreed upon in unanimous fashion within the working groups. A final
vote was then held, and the strength of consensus was characterized as follows: consensus, 51% to 74%; strong consensus,
75% to 99%; unanimous, 100%.
Results: A total of 9 statements on rehabilitation and return to sports reached consensus during the 2017 International
Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle. All 9 statements reached strong consensus, with at least 86%
agreement.
Conclusions: The rehabilitation process for an ankle cartilage injury requires a multidisciplinary and comprehensive
approach. This international consensus derived from leaders in the field will assist clinicians with rehabilitation and return
to sports after treatment of a cartilage injury of the ankle.
Keywords: return to sports, ankle cartilage, talus, osteochondral lesion, rehabilitation
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