Evaluation of the efficiency of telerehabilitation after arthroscopic meniscus repair

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two different telerehabilitation (TR) methods with each other and with conventional rehabilitation (CR) in patients who have undergone arthroscopic meniscus repair (AMR). 50 patients included in the study were randomized into three groups: synchronized telerehabilitation (ST), asynchronized telerehabilitation (AT), and CR. Patients in ST group received TR via video conference with physiotherapist, and patients in CR group received supervized rehabilitation at hospital, twice a day, during 4 weeks. The patients in the AT group performed the exercise program that is given on the mobile application for 6 weeks, starting from the first postoperative day. Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength, International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC) scale and Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System -29 (PROMIS-29) scale were evaluated in the preoperative period, postoperative 6th week and 6th month; flexion and extension range of motion and pain intensity (VAS) measurements were repeated every week within 6 weeks in addition to these periods. The 6-week evaluations were completed by 14 (mean age: 38.1±7.3) patients in the ST group, 14 (mean age: 39.1±9.1 years) patients in the AT group, and 14 (mean age: 33.9±11 years) patients in the CR group. There was no statistically significant difference in any parameter in the comparison of the 6th week and 6th month evaluations of the ST, AT and CR groups (p>0.05). According to these results, both TR methods applied after AMR are effective treatment methods that can be offered as an alternative CR. Key Words: Meniscus Repair, Telerehabilitation, Postoperative Rehabilitation