Application of Smart Wearable Device-Based Remote Rehabilitation in Postoperative Recovery After Arthroscopic Surgery for Discoid Meniscus

Application of Smart Wearable Device-Based Remote Rehabilitation in Postoperative Recovery After Arthroscopic Surgery for Discoid Meniscus: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

This study is designed as a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial. The aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of a wearable device-based telerehabilitation approach for postoperative recovery in patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for discoid meniscus injury. The core research questions to be addressed are: to compare the effects of two postoperative rehabilitation methods (clinic rehabilitation versus telerehabilitation) on knee function scores in patients after arthroscopic discoid meniscus surgery; and to compare patient satisfaction, rehabilitation adherence, and clinical benefit between the two postoperative rehabilitation interventions. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the clinic rehabilitation group or the telerehabilitation group. The telerehabilitation group will undergo digital rehabilitation using wearable devices and a telerehabilitation system postoperatively, while the clinic rehabilitation group will receive one-on-one exercise rehabilitation sessions in an outpatient setting. Both groups will be followed up for six months postoperatively, with assessments scheduled at multiple time points: preoperatively, and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks postoperatively. The primary outcome measures focus on clinical functional improvement, including range of motion (ROM), weight-bearing progression, muscle strength, swelling, limb circumference, functional scores (Visual Analog Scale [VAS] for pain, Tegner activity scale, International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] subjective form, Lysholm knee score, Ikeuchi meniscus postoperative functional score), three-dimensional gait analysis parameters, and return-to-sports evaluation. Secondary outcomes include patient satisfaction, rehabilitation adherence, imaging findings, and complication assessment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1.Aged between 10 and 60 years.
• 2.Diagnosed with a discoid meniscus injury, confirmed by both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy.
• 3.Underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (saucerization) with concomitant suture repair.
• 4.Willing to participate in the clinical trial and comply with the follow-up protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1.Presence of concomitant injuries in the same knee, such as ligament tears, fractures, or cartilage lesions.
• 2.Kellgren & Lawrence osteoarthritis grade greater than II.
• 3.History of trauma or surgery in other weight-bearing joints of the lower limb (e.g., ankle ligament tears, osteonecrosis of the femoral head) that could indirectly affect knee joint loading and movement.