Background and Objectives: Muscle properties are critical for performance and injury risk, with changes occurring due to physical exertion, aging, and neurological conditions. The MyotonPro device offers a non-invasive method to comprehensively assess muscle biomechanical properties. This systematic review evaluates the reliability of MyotonPro across various muscles for diagnostic purposes. Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline (PubMed), Ovid (Med), Epistemonikos, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical trials.gov, and the WHO International Clinical Trials platform. Studies assessing the reliability of MyotonPro across different muscles were included. A methodological quality assessment was performed using established tools, and reviewers independently conducted data extraction. Statistical analysis involved summarizing intra-rater and inter-rater reliability measures across muscles. Results: A total of 48 studies assessing 31 muscles were included in the systematic review. The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were consistently high for parameters such as frequency and stiffness in muscles of the lower and upper extremities, as well as other muscle groups. Despite methodological heterogeneity and limited data on specific parameters, MyotonPro demonstrated promising reliability for diagnostic purposes across diverse patient populations. Conclusions: The findings suggest the potential of MyotonPro in clinical assessments for accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring of muscle properties. Further research is needed to address limitations and enhance the applicability of MyotonPro in clinical practice. Reliable muscle assessments are crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes and improving patient care in various healthcare settings.

Aims: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a serious cause of hip pain with loss of function, and development of osteoarthritis of the hip. The aim of this multilevel meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to evaluate the outcomes of FAI patients treated conservatively compared with those treated with hip arthroscopy (HAS).Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed, CENTRAL of the Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, and Embase databases was conducted up to 30 June 2024. In a frequentist multilevel meta-analysis with random effects model, means with 95% CIs were calculated separately in the conservative treatment subgroup and the HAS subgroup. A test for subgroup differences in meta-analysis was then performed to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between the means of the two subgroups. Clinical assessment was based on Harris Hip Score (HHS), the International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT), the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), the Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain.Results: A total of 21 RCTs, including 674 patients in the conservative treatment subgroup and 1,125 patients in the HAS subgroup, met the inclusion criteria. The test for subgroup differences showed that the HAS subgroup had a statistically significant 6.5-point higher HHS ≤ 12 months post-intervention (F = 12.8; df = 1.5; p = 0.016) and a statistically significant 9.8-point higher iHOT ≤ 24 months post-intervention (F = 5.3; df = 1.1; p = 0.035) than the conservative treatment subgroup. Other functional (HOOS, HOS) and pain (VAS, NRS) outcome parameters analyzed did not show statistically significant differences.Conclusion: This multilevel meta-analysis of 21 RCTs with a total of 1,799 FAI patients showed a statistically significant higher HHS ≤ 12 months post-intervention and iHOT ≤ 24 months post-intervention, favouring the HAS subgroup compared to the conservative treatment subgroup, without reaching minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs).Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(4):480–498.

Background: The investigation of soft tissue stiffness has garnered increasing interest due to its potential applications in detecting tissue conditions, monitoring therapy effects, and preventing sports injuries. This study utilized the MyotonPro as a reliable measurement device to assess muscle stiffness and muscle frequency in the vastus lateralis and medialis muscles of both the dominant and non-dominant legs. Methods: Sixteen young, healthy subjects (seven males and nine females, age 25 ± 3.46 years) participated in this study. To induce maximal muscle fatigue, the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles were subjected to a 30 kg load using a single-leg leg press. Pre- and post-fatigue measurements were conducted by two testers on the dominant and non-dominant legs, respectively, employing the MyotonPro. Results: We revealed a significant increase in muscle stiffness after maximal muscle fatigue. Specifically, on the dominant side, the vastus lateralis exhibited a stiffness increase of 6.5%, while the vastus medialis showed a 6.3% increase. On the non-dominant side, the vastus lateralis demonstrated a 7.6% increase, and the vastus medialis exhibited a 6.7% increase in muscle stiffness. Furthermore, muscle frequency increased by 8.6% (vastus lateralis) and 13.5% (vastus medialis) on the dominant side and by 15.1% (vastus lateralis) and 6.3% (vastus medialis) on the non-dominant side. The reliability of the measurements varied, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from inadequate 0.49 to very good 0.88. Conclusion: This study affirms the efficacy of the MyotonPro as a measurement device for assessing muscle stiffness and establishes its reliability. The observed increase in muscle stiffness after maximal muscle fatigue, accompanied by changes in muscle frequency, underscores the device’s utility. However, further research is warranted to validate the reproducibility of these findings and explore additional facets of the muscular response to fatigue.

Background: Compliance with rehabilitative physiotherapeutic measures leads to an improvement in outcomes in patients suffering from a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. To date, a tool for assessing the parameters that lead to non-adherence to physical therapy does not exist in the German language. The objective of this paper is to cross-culturally adapt a non-compliance questionnaire to German. Methods: In reference to the “Guidelines for the Process of Cross-Cultural Adaption of Self-Reported Measures”, the questionnaire was translated into German followed by a back-translation into the original language. An expert committee met and refined the pre-final version. A preliminary version was handed out to patients for evaluation of the quality of the resulting German version. Results: After the forward- and back-translation of the questionnaire, some discrepancies were discovered between the translators on the one hand and between the back-translations and the original document on the other. The statistical analysis showed satisfactory results regarding the quality of the questionnaire. Conclusion: The translation and adaption of the items proved to have a high degree of reliability. The German version will be made available for German-speaking researchers and used for evaluating a mobile-application-based physical therapy regimen by the authors of the paper.

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are essential for evaluating symptoms, function, psychological readiness, and quality of life after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R). Despite their broad use, PROMs differ considerably in what they measure and how well they perform. This comprehensive review summarizes evidence for the most commonly used PROMs in ACL-R and provides guidance on selecting instruments that best match a given domain of interest. Methods: A targeted PubMed search (January 2000–October 2025), complemented by manual screening of references, identified studies reporting psychometric properties of ACL-related PROMs. Extracted data included internal consistency, test–retest reliability, SEM/MDC, MCID, responsiveness, ceiling/floor effects, patient burden, cross-cultural validation, and conceptual domains. Results: PROMs varied widely in scope and measurement quality. ACL-QOL consistently demonstrated excellent reliability and is well suited for ACL-specific quality-of-life assessments. ACL-RSI is the most robust tool for psychological readiness to return to sport. IKDC and KOOS showed strong reliability for general knee symptoms and function, with KOOS offering broader subscale coverage. KOS-ADLS performed well for activities of daily living, while VAS provided a reliable single-domain pain measurement. WOMAC showed strong psychometrics in osteoarthritis but limited relevance in younger athletic populations. Brief tools such as SANE, EQ-5D, and the Tegner scale offer rapid global assessment but lack depth. Several instruments showed ceiling or floor effects depending on recovery stage and activity level. Conclusion: No single PROM captures all dimensions relevant after ACL-R. Domain-driven selection—such as ACL-QOL for QoL, ACL-RSI for psychological factors, IKDC/KOOS for function, or VAS for pain—ensures meaningful assessment. Considering measurement precision (SEM/MDC/MCID) and adhering to COSMIN principles can improve the comparability and clinical utility of ACL outcomes research.

Introduction: Rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) includes various therapeutic interventions, such as continuous active motion (CAM) and continuous passive motion (CPM). This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of CAM and CPM on pain, function, and range of motion post-TKA, focusing on the early postoperative period. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in databases including Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CAM and CPM post-TKA. Studies were required to include at least two postoperative measurements and combine the interventions with standard physiotherapy. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the JBI appraisal tool, and statistical analysis was performed on suitable studies. Results: Seven RCTs involving 501 patients were included. Meta-analysis indicated significant pain reduction and improved functional outcomes with CAM compared to CPM, particularly in postoperative pain assessments. CAM showed advantages in functional tests, including the Sit-to-Stand and Timed-Up-and-Go tests. However, no significant differences were found for active and passive range of motion (ROM). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) showed high heterogeneity, limiting clear conclusions. Conclusions: CAM demonstrates significant benefits in pain reduction and functional recovery compared to CPM following TKA. However, variability in outcome measures and intervention protocols limits comparability across studies and therefore generalizability. CAM’s requirement for active patient engagement may present practical challenges, while CPM’s standardization allows for easier integration into routine postoperative care.