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Orthopaedic research

Everything we have read on orthopaedic. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

2,015 PAPERS · PAGE 35 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTSystematic Review2025Configuration design of ankle rehabilitation robots: a systematic review and future prospects.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAnkle rehabilitation robot designs are still mainly engineering configurations, not proven patient treatments. Clinical checks are small, often healthy people, and some designs need therapist alignment.
• PTOTOther2025Perceived fatigue progression tracking during manual handling tasks using sEMG recordings.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationComplex muscle signal patterns tracked perceived fatigue during manual handling better than standard measures. A deep learning model classified fatigue stages with 69% accuracy, suggesting wearable sensors could help monitor overexertion in workers.
• PTOther2025A model of the cerebellum generates gait adaptations in a reflex-based neuromusculoskeletal model during split-belt walking.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding a cerebellum model to a computer simulation of walking allowed it to adapt to split-belt speeds by changing timing alone, without adjusting reflexes. This suggests timing control is sufficient for temporal adaptations, but reflex changes are likely still needed to fully match human spatial gait adjustments.
• PTOTRCT2026The effectiveness of the UniReliever offloading knee brace for treating medial knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalPatients with medial knee osteoarthritis who wore either the UniReliever or Unloader One X brace for six weeks walked significantly farther without pain than controls. Both braces performed similarly, with no significant difference between them.
• PTRCT2025Motor imagery enhances early rehabilitation in patients with high kinesiophobia after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdding motor imagery to a standard acute-phase knee replacement programme gave a larger drop in fear of movement than the same programme alone. It also gave larger reductions in pain and larger gains in confidence, adherence, knee bending and quadriceps strength.
• PTOther2026Exploring the digital landscape: A scoping review of Achilles tendinopathy education on public websites and in randomised controlled trials.Clinical rehabilitationAcross 385 Achilles tendinopathy websites and five trial leaflets, education was often low quality and incomplete. They commonly missed guideline advice on pain, prognosis, risks and shared choices, so check before directing patients.
• PTOTCase-Control2025Inter-segmental coordination patterns in Parkinson's disease are particularly disturbed during preferred walking speed: a data-driven network approach.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationPeople with Parkinson's disease show severely disturbed whole-body coordination during their preferred walking speed, but much less so when walking fast or slow. The overall movement structure remains intact, but variability is higher, suggesting the automatic nature of normal-speed walking is the main challenge.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Artificial intelligence in rehabilitation: a living systematic mapping review - first release.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineMost AI research in rehabilitation is small, internal, and focused on stroke or gait, with very few trials testing real clinical benefit. Half the studies had no comparison group, and external validation was rare, so these tools are not yet proven to improve patient outcomes.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2026Application of variance ratios to assess heterogeneity of spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low back pain: A meta-epidemiological study.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationSpinal manipulative therapy did not show greater variability in patient response than sham treatment for chronic low back pain. This suggests there is no strong evidence that specific subgroups of patients respond differently to the therapy compared to others.
• PTOTCohort2026No increased risk of spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak after spinal manipulative therapy: A retrospective cohort study.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationSpinal manipulative therapy by chiropractors did not increase the risk of spinal cerebrospinal fluid leaks compared to physical therapy exercise. The study included 178,084 adults. Both groups had an identical leak rate of 0.03%. This suggests the leaks were likely caused by underlying symptoms prompting the visit, not the treatment.
• PTOTCohort2026Association of arthritis and total joint arthroplasty with self-reported function in former professional American-style football players.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationFormer professional football players with arthritis or hip/knee replacements reported worse physical function and more pain interference than those without. Mental function scores did not differ between groups. Older age, higher BMI, and playing lineman were associated with these joint conditions.
• PTOTCase Report2025Mapping Recovery: The RADAR Scale, Born From a Clinical Round.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA 73-year-old woman regained full hand function by week 28 after radial nerve repair, yet nerve conduction tests remained abnormal. This case introduces the RADAR scale to track daily living and communication, showing functional recovery can outpace electrophysiological data.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Robust neural network controller for a lower limb exoskeleton with minimal sensor configuration: a deep reinforcement learning approach with policy distillation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn simulation, a lower limb exoskeleton controller guided walking for a modelled quadriplegic patient using only joint encoders, with no crutches or calibration. It stayed upright against pushes up to 40 N. No real patients were tested.
• PTPilot2025Feasibility of a Preoperative Exercise and Nutritional Intervention in Sarcopenic Obese Individuals Undergoing Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA 6-week supervised exercise and protein counseling program before hip or knee replacement was feasible for motivated patients, with good attendance and protein intake, but recruitment and surgery timing caused dropouts and no clear postoperative differences.
• PTOTCohort2025Post-COVID Rehabilitation Outcomes: A Comparative Cohort Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPatients with post-COVID improved their walking distance significantly during multidisciplinary rehabilitation, but their self-rated quality of life remained lower than other groups. This suggests physical gains do not automatically resolve subjective well-being deficits in post-COVID recovery.
• PTPilot2026Using a Co-Designed Digital Self-Management Program to Prepare Patients for Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery: Pragmatic Pilot Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesPatients awaiting hip or knee replacement mostly reported feeling better prepared after an 8-week digital self-management program. Some outcomes improved at 6 months, but many changes were uncertain, and without a control group surgery may explain them.
• PTOther2026Rehabilitation and return to activity after platelet-rich plasma injections in chronic tendinopathies: Consensus from international experts.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationExperts agreed to avoid NSAIDs for two weeks and start loading exercises within 5 to 10 days after PRP injections for tendinopathy. They found no consensus on using ice or immobilization immediately after the procedure.
• PTOTOther2026Analysis of balance in adults with chronic axial spinal pain receiving medial branch block or radiofrequency ablation procedures.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationPeople with chronic spinal pain had worse balance than healthy controls, especially with eyes closed. Medial branch blocks did not improve this. However, procedures at the C2/3 level significantly increased sway. This suggests specific cervical levels affect balance, while others do not.
• PTCohort2026Orthopedic surgery after selective dorsal rhizotomy in children with cerebral palsy: A matched cohort study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyAmong matched limbs in children with spastic cerebral palsy, selective dorsal rhizotomy was followed by fewer rectus femoris transfers and more bony foot and femoral derotation surgeries. It did not meaningfully reduce later muscle contracture or crouch gait surgeries.
• PTOTCase Series2026Effects of a tailored rehabilitation treatment in lower limb Soft Tissue Sarcomas reconstruction: a case series.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThree men with thigh sarcomas reconstructed with free muscle flaps improved walking speed and daily function after a 3-month tailored rehab program. Pain scores varied, but all reported better quality of life. Gains persisted at one-year follow-up, though results rely on crutch-assisted gait.
• PTOTOther2026Linguistic Validation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Shoulder Telehealth Assessment Tool for Filipino Patients with Musculoskeletal Shoulder Condition: Cross-Sectional Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesThe Filipino shoulder telehealth questionnaire was understood well for pain and range of motion, but strength items were hard to use. Pictures improved performance, yet the tool should still be confirmed by a clinician and not replace in-person assessment.
• PTOther2026Development and clinical validation of a stroke-specific Gait Deviation Index.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA stroke-specific gait score fit observed gait curves better than the standard GDI, but both scores were similar and their links to clinical impairment and walking speed were weak. This is not evidence it changes rehabilitation outcomes.
• PTOTCase Report2025Case Report: Focused shockwave therapy (fESWT) in thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: a single case study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn one woman with thumb osteoarthritis, focused shockwave therapy was followed by less pain, better grip and lower disability over a year. This is a single case, so it cannot show the treatment works.
• PTOTCohort2025Pain characterization in osteosarcopenia: an exploratory study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPain was reported by 78.6% of 42 patients with osteosarcopenia, mostly in the lower back. Severity correlated with poorer balance and gait speed, but not with bone density. This suggests pain in this group is linked to muscle function rather than bone structure.
• PTOTCohort2026Differences in female athlete triad risk factors between Japanese and American female runners: A comparative study.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationJapanese female runners had a higher prevalence of stress fractures and energy deficiency risk factors than American runners, despite similar rates of diagnosed eating disorders and low bone mineral density. This suggests Japanese athletes in this cohort faced greater overall Triad risk.
• PTOTSurvey2026Exercise modalities and outcome measures used in older adults after hip fracture with or without signs of cognitive impairment: a national cross-sectional e-survey of 90 out of 98 municipalities in Denmark.Journal of rehabilitation medicineDanish municipalities offer similar hip fracture rehabilitation regardless of cognitive status, but rarely screen for impairment or document specific plans for those with cognitive signs. Physiotherapists deliver most care, using functional and balance exercises, yet few use recommended pain or cognitive assessments.
• PTOTCohort2026Predicting Geriatric Rehabilitation Stays of ≤4 Weeks After Hip Fracture Surgery: Machine Learning Approach Using Physical Activity and Patient Data.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAfter hip fracture surgery, a model using first-week activity and patient data identified likely stays of 4 weeks or less. It performed well in 100 Dutch patients, but needs external testing before changing discharge planning.
• PTRCT2026Effect of early hybrid assistive limb assisted rehabilitation on functional outcomes and patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineWithin 4 hours after knee replacement, HAL-SJ exercises were associated with higher 12-month knee quality-of-life scores than standard rehabilitation. Extension lag and early knee flexion improved too, but quadriceps strength, walking speed and walking pain did not.
• PTOther2026The feasibility of using deep learning technologies to preliminarily identify patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis via smartphone videos.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSelf-recorded smartphone videos of sit-to-stand and walking were analyzed by deep learning. The best model helped separate advanced knee osteoarthritis from age-related physical decline using sit-to-stand plus age and body mass index. This is preliminary screening feasibility, not a validated diagnostic tool.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2026Off-axis biomechanical alterations and related interventions in medial knee osteoarthritis: a mini review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHip abductor strengthening reliably improves pain and function in medial knee osteoarthritis. Personalized gait retraining and valgus bracing reduce short-term symptoms, but evidence for lateral wedge insoles is inconsistent. Long-term structural benefits remain unproven.
• PTOTSLPOther2026AI-powered biomechanical modeling for ACL-reconstructed knees: predicting knee joint contact forces via computer vision and deep learning.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA new AI model can estimate knee joint forces in ACL-reconstructed patients using just two smartphone cameras. It achieved high accuracy across walking, running, and stair descent, potentially allowing clinic-based monitoring without expensive lab equipment.
• PTOTNarrative Review2026Microscopic and molecular aspects of skeletal muscle alterations in cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMuscle biopsies in cerebral palsy consistently show high variability in fibre size, longer sarcomeres, increased collagen, and reduced capillary density. Average fibre size and fibre type shifts are inconsistent across studies. Treatment effects on these microstructures remain largely uncharacterized.
• PTPilot2026A novel design conception of foot orthoses promotes normal walking in patients with pronated feet.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFishbone orthoses changed foot alignment and pressure measures in men with pronated feet, but the study did not show which orthosis matches pronation severity and did not measure pain or function.
• PTCohort2026Self-rated work ability predicts return to work after occupational rehabilitation.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHigher self-rated work ability before and after rehabilitation was linked to full return to work a year later. On a 0 to 10 rating, one extra point was associated with 47% to 57% greater chance of full return.
• PTOTRCT2026Effects of serial thermal brine hand baths on hand osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineFor painful hand osteoarthritis, six thermal brine hand baths over three weeks reduced pain more than sham tap water. The difference was 26.4 points on a 0 to 100 mm pain scale, above the 20 mm important difference, and lasted 12 weeks.
• PTRCT2025Dry needling of the gluteus-medius muscle, combined with standard care, for chronic low back pain - a pilot randomized sham-controlled trial.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapyAdding dry needling to the gluteus medius to standard exercise and sham needling reduced pain more than sham in chronic low back pain. Pain dropped by 4.6 points versus 2.0 on a 0-10 scale. This pilot suggests benefit but needs larger trials.
• PTCohort2025Quadriceps femoris strength deficits early in rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction identify risk of future contralateral ACL injury following return to sport in young athletes: A Preliminary analysis.Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports MedicineYoung athletes who failed to reach 80% quadriceps strength symmetry about 14 weeks after ACL reconstruction had 4.4 times higher odds of injuring their opposite knee within 3 years of returning to sport. However, they had 90% lower odds of re-injuring the operated knee.
• PTCohort2025Assessment of hip joint mechanics during walking in people with Marfan syndrome.Gait & posturePeople with Marfan syndrome reported worse hip pain and walked with different hip, pelvis and leg mechanics than controls. Higher hip rotation loading was linked to worse hip pain, but the study did not show cause.
• PTQualitative2025Beyond the lungs: patients' experiences of musculoskeletal symptoms and manual therapy in cystic fibrosis care - A qualitative interview study.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapyTen adults with cystic fibrosis described daily muscle and joint pain and stiffness around the chest, neck and head. They reported less pain, easier breathing and more attention to body care during manual therapy, but this was experience, not evidence manual therapy works.
• PTPilot2025Effects of carbon fiber custom dynamic orthosis stiffness on lower limb motion and loading during gait: A pilot study.Gait & postureWearing any carbon fiber orthosis reduced ankle motion and foot loading compared to walking without one. Stiffness level made little difference for most outcomes, suggesting compliant devices may be sufficient for offloading.
• PTRCT2025The content of diagnostic information has an immediate effect on pain with loading in people with midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized clinical experiment.Brazilian journal of physical therapyRunners with Achilles tendinopathy had less pain during hopping after an explanation about lower-limb function than after an explanation about tendon structure. The difference was 12.3 on a 0-100 pain scale.
• PTOther2025Peak, cumulative and rate of medial and lateral compartment joint loading during gait following total knee arthroplasty.Gait & postureAfter one-sided knee replacement, walking placed greater peak load on the other knee than on the replaced knee, especially early in stance, in both medial and lateral compartments.
• PTOther2025The relationship between lower limb alignment and physical fitness in children aged 10-12: A sex-specific analysis using the ALPHA-fitness test battery.Brazilian journal of physical therapyIn children aged 10-12, sex and BMI were linked to fitness test scores more clearly than knee or foot alignment. Pronated feet showed a weak link to lower jump distance.
• PTOther2025Subjective Happiness Scale: Measurement properties of the online and paper-pen administrations in Nepali adults with musculoskeletal pain.Brazilian journal of physical therapyA shortened Nepali happiness questionnaire measured happiness in adults with musculoskeletal pain. Paper answers were steadier over time. The online version gave results that matched other pain and well-being measures, but scores were less stable.
• PTOther2026Cognitive-Motor Function and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk: Exploring Relationships Between Clinical and Lab-Based Assessments.Journal of sport rehabilitationClinical dual-task hop tests did not correlate with lab-based biomechanical risk factors for second ACL injury when measuring the change from single to dual task. However, single-task hop distance did correlate with some biomechanical measures, suggesting dual-task change scores are less useful than raw performance.
• PTOTOther2025Gait dual-task cost in individuals with chronic low back pain and high avoidance or catastrophizing.Gait & posturePeople with chronic low back pain and high catastrophizing did not shorten their step length when adding a cognitive task, unlike those with low catastrophizing. Higher pain severity was linked to shorter steps and slower reactions, regardless of the task.
• PTSurvey2025Perceptions and beliefs of physical therapists regarding the mechanisms of manual therapy.Brazilian journal of physical therapyMost German physical therapists believe manual therapy works through brain involvement and pain modulation, not just joint mechanics. They rate a cervical mobilization as 66% effective. These beliefs are only weakly linked to their training or experience.
• PTSurvey2025What factors are associated with physical therapists' use of patient-reported outcome measures in managing patients with low back pain in primary health care in Sweden?Brazilian journal of physical therapyMost Swedish physical therapists treat low back pain without using measures of health-related or psychosocial factors. Only 14% used health-related measures and 13% used psychosocial measures, though those with higher education or specialist status were more likely to do so.
• PTOTCohort2026ICF rehabilitation set responsiveness after total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn patients recovering from knee replacement, ICF-RS scores improved significantly during inpatient rehabilitation. However, joint mobility scores did not change because the tool counts affected joints rather than measuring range of motion. This highlights that ICF-RS is not sensitive enough to track specific physical recovery in single-joint surgeries.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2026Effectiveness of kinesio tape in people with low back pain. A systematic review with meta-analysis.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineKinesio tape reduces short-term pain and improves function in acute low back pain compared to no treatment, but shows little benefit over placebo. Physical therapy outperforms tape for long-term chronic pain. Tape may help pregnant women with pain, but evidence for radiating pain is uncertain.