Background: Meniscal injuries are common athletic injuries, and isolated meniscal repair is a critical procedure for restoring knee function. However, rehabilitation protocols after meniscal repair remain controversial. This systematic review aimed to evaluate rehabilitation protocols to determine the best strategies for enhancing recovery following isolated meniscal repair. Objectives: Analyze current rehabilitation protocols following isolated meniscal repair, focusing on the efficacy of approaches in improving functional outcomes and reducing recovery time. This study also aims to identify gaps in the existing literature and provide recommendations for future studies. Data sources: Search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, covering studies published between May 2015 and May 2024. Inclusion criteria: Studies reporting on isolated meniscal repair with defined postoperative rehabilitation protocols and quantifiable outcome measures. Data extraction: Focused on patient demographics, meniscal tear types, repair techniques, and rehabilitation outcomes. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed, and narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: The review included 13 studies with significant variability in rehabilitation protocols and outcomes. Early weight-bearing and range of motion exercises have been associated with improved recovery in some studies for stable meniscal tears. However, conservative approaches have better outcomes in patients with complex tears. The use of adjunctive therapies such as blood flow restriction training has demonstrated potential in enhancing muscle preservation and overall recovery. Conclusions: Rehabilitation protocols after meniscal repair surgery should be individualized. Although innovative protocols show promise, further research is needed to standardize rehabilitation approaches and optimize long-term outcomes.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is commonly performed in orthopedic surgery. Hamstring autografts are frequently used as a graft option for the ACL; however, a clear consensus on optimal graft size is lacking. Here, we aimed to determine the mean ACL, hamstring tendon, and posterior horn meniscal sizes in a Saudi population to determine whether correlations exist between anthropometric data and the widths of the ACL, hamstring tendons (specifically the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons), and medial and lateral meniscal posterior horns. Cross-sectional study is the study design. This study examined 705 knee magnetic resonance images to obtain the following data: ACL proximal origin width, mid-fiber width, distal insertion widths and lengths (in millimeters), semitendinosus and gracilis widths (mm), and posterior horn widths of the bilateral menisci (mm). Anthropometric data included age, sex, weight, height, and body mass index. The mean ± standard deviation of proximal, mid-fiber, and distal ACL attachment widths were 8.4 ± 2.4, 9.9 ± 2.4, and 13.5 ± 2.7 mm, respectively. The mean ACL length was 30.8 ± 4.5 mm, while the mean semitendinosus and gracilis widths were 4.5 ± 1 and 3.3 mm, respectively. The mean medial and lateral meniscus posterior horn widths were 14.1 ± 2.7 and 9.3 ± 1.3 mm, respectively. Height and weight were significantly positively correlated with ACL width and length (p < 0.010) semitendinosus and gracilis tendon (p < 0.010) and posterior horn menisci (p < 0.010) widths. The mean ACL width and length, hamstring tendon (gracilis and semitendinosus) width, and posterior horn width of both menisci were positively correlated with an individual's height and weight. The level of evidence is IV.

Calcific tendinopathy is one of the causes of shoulder pain and limited range of motion when it affects the rotator cuff tendons. Complications of such a condition are rare and include intraosseous and intramuscular migration. Calcific tendonitis can be classified as acute, subacute or chronic based on the onset of symptoms. The incidence of calcific tendonitis affects females more than males, with the median age of onset being between 40 and 60 years old. Diagnostic modalities include radiographs and computed tomography (CT); however, these are suboptimal when compared to the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging. Ninety percent of these cases are treated non-surgically. We present a rare case of a young female patient with right shoulder pain and limited range of motion secondary to the intraosseous migration of calcific tendonitis. The patient’s symptoms were resolved after a CT-guided percutaneous bone biopsy of the lesion. Clinical correlation with the aid of imaging and histopathology is a multimodal approach to help diagnose and treat such conditions.