3) Do you prescribe a post-operative brace / orthoses for patients and if so what do you provide?
  1. Yes a post-operative brace that restricts range of motion
  2. Yes a post-operative brace that helps reduce weight-bearing loads (Unloader type brace)
  3. Yes both a & b (1 & 2 in this document)
  4. No bracing is not in my protocol
  5. 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: ____________________________
Comments:
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:
Comments:
9) What are some solutions that could enhance a patient’s rehabilitation experience after knee articular cartilage surgeries?
Comments:
10) Do you have any other comments to share?