Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42399861›Full record

ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2026

Major discrepancies in recommendations regarding long-term activity restrictions following knee replacement: a survey among Swedish physiotherapists.

Kristin Gustafsson, Thérése Jönsson, Marcus Ljung, Caroline Ståhl, Elin Östlind

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Kristin GustafssonDepartment of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. kristin.gustafsson@liu.se.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3403-229X
Thérése JönssonDepartment of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Marcus LjungDepartment of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Caroline StåhlDepartment of Orthopaedics, Ängelholm Hospital, Ängelholm, Sweden.
Elin ÖstlindDepartment of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThere is currently limited evidence to support specific recommendations for long-term activity restrictions after knee replacement surgery. Consequently, physiotherapists´ guidance may vary, which could influence patients´ confidence, adherence to rehabilitation, overall recovery outcomes, and even contribute to the development of fear of movement. However, it is unclear to what extent such variation exists. This study aimed to explore and describe the recommendations given by physiotherapists regarding long-term activity restrictions following knee replacement.

methodsAn online survey was distributed to physiotherapy units in Swedish orthopedic specialist clinics and primary healthcare centers. For this study, responses to the question "Do you usually recommend any long-term restrictions? (For example, running, skiing, squatting, kneeling?) Please elaborate!" were analyzed using quantitative content analysis to systematically identify and quantify patterns.

resultsOf 233 physiotherapists who responded to the specific survey question, 66% (n = 151) reported that they provided specific recommendations regarding long-term activity restrictions following knee replacement. The most commonly non-recommended activities were running and jumping, followed by kneeling and squatting. However, the extent of these restrictions varied considerably, ranging from complete avoidance of certain activities to conditional approval based on intensity and frequency. Among those recommending long-term restrictions, 16% (n = 24) stated that the primary reason was to avoid compromising implant survival.

conclusionsConsiderable variability exists in physiotherapists´ recommendations regarding long-term activity restriction following knee replacement across both orthopedic clinics and primary healthcare settings. This variation reflects the current lack of evidence-based guidelines and highlights the need for consensus to support more consistent and confident communication with patients about long-term physical activity.

Indexed as

Arthroplasty, Replacement, KneePhysical TherapistsFemaleHumansMalePhysical Therapy ModalitiesPractice Guidelines as TopicSurveys and QuestionnairesSwedenTime FactorsKnee ReplacementPhysical activityPhysiotherapyRecommendations

Identifiers

PMID42399861
PMCPMC13339875

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.