2025 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster
Virtual Computer Vision Based Rehabilitation And In Person Physical Therapy Have Equivalent Outcomes After Knee Arthroscopy
Katherine L. Esser, BS, New York, NY UNITED STATES
Zachary I Li, BA, New York UNITED STATES
Michael Moore, BA, New York City, New York UNITED STATES
Larry Chen, BS, New York City, NY UNITED STATES
Isabel Wolfe, BA, new york UNITED STATES
Nathaniel P. Mercer, MD, New York, New York UNITED STATES
Bradley Austin Lezak, MD, MPH, New York, New York UNITED STATES
Heath Patrick Gould, MD, Grand Forks, ND UNITED STATES
Laith M. Jazrawi, MD, New York, NY UNITED STATES
Eric Strauss, Scarsdale, NY UNITED STATES
Guillem Gonzalez-Lomas, MD, New York, NY UNITED STATES
NYU Langone Orthopedics, Manhattan, New York, UNITED STATES
FDA Status Not Applicable
Summary
Telerehabilitation may be a viable alternative to traditional in-person physical therapy after arthroscopic meniscectomy, offering comparable improvements in pain, function, and patient satisfaction.
Abstract
Purpose
Telerehabilitation involves video communication with real-time synchronous information exchange, closing geographic and motivational gaps to improve treatment protocol adherence. Novel computer vision platforms can track range of motion to augment telerehabilitation. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the efficacy of computer vision-based telerehabilitation (TR) and traditional in-person physical therapy for postoperative rehabilitation following arthroscopic meniscectomy. It evaluates patient-reported outcomes, adherence to rehabilitation protocols, and patient satisfaction.
Methods
This single-center, two-arm, randomized controlled trial included patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy between October 2011 and October 2023. Patients were randomized to either virtual rehabilitation or standard physical therapy. Baseline assessments were conducted preoperatively using visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome (KOOS) scores, and Tampa Kinesiophobia scores, with follow-up at 6 weeks postoperatively. A satisfaction questionnaire was also completed.
Results
Seventy-seven patients were randomized, with 38 available for 6-week follow-up. The median change in VAS pain score for TR was 20.00 [10.00 47.00], compared to 35.00 [12.00 52.00] for the control group, showing no statistically significant difference (p = 0.65, effect size = 23.97). KOOS subscale scores, Tampa Kinesiophobia scores, and return-to-sport rates were similar between groups. Satisfaction scores and adherence rates were high in both groups, with no significant differences observed.
Conclusion
Telerehabilitation may be a viable alternative to traditional in-person physical therapy, offering comparable improvements in pain, function, and patient satisfaction. Patient-reported outcomes at 6 weeks after meniscectomy were largely equivalent for computer vision-based telerehabilitation and in-person physical therapy. The study suggests that TR may provide clinically meaningful benefits and can overcome barriers associated with in-person therapy.