3) Do you prescribe a post-operative brace / orthoses for patients and if so what do you provide?
- Yes a post-operative brace that restricts range of motion
- Yes a post-operative brace that helps reduce weight-bearing loads (Unloader type brace)
- Yes both a & b (1 & 2 in this document)
- No bracing is not in my protocol
- Other: _____
4) If you answered no to question 3 choose the applicable reasons why knee bracing is not used in your protocol:
· I am not aware of evidence supporting orthoses use
· My patients do not like using a brace
· My patient population are not candidates for bracing
· I prefer to prescribe crutches
· I tried using them before and have moved away from them
· Other:_______________________________________________
5) On a scale of 1 – 10 how variable or harmonized is orthopaedic practice amongst your peers after knee articular cartilage surgeries regarding (1 is extremely variable 10 is completely harmonized):
Post-operative weight-bearing protocols 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Knee orthoses prescription 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
6) In your opinion how does this variability/harmony affect patient outcomes?
7) What evidence do you use to support your clinical treatment of knee articular cartilage injuries? (Choose all that apply)
· Consensus/position statements from experts
· Findings from studies published in medical journals
· Personal clinical experience
· Lectures/courses taken
· None of the above
· Other, please expand: ____________________________
8) Please be more specific if you can recall which journal articles/ authors courses lectures or position statements that have significantly influenced your clinical practice please state those below:
9) What are some solutions that could enhance a patient’s rehabilitation experience after knee articular cartilage surgeries?
10) Do you have any other comments to share?