(vii) The role of physiotherapy in rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries of the knee

Physiotherapy is an important part of rehabilitation following soft tissue knee injury. Physiotherapists possess a wide range of scientifically-based clinical skills that can be integrated across a variety of soft tissue knee injuries and surgical contexts. This paper offers advice and instruction on specific aspects of physiotherapy practice for conservative and post-surgical rehabilitation of soft tissue knee injuries. Specific comments and recommendations are made regarding basic principles of knee rehabilitation, effects of soft tissue injury, timeframes for tissue healing, accelerated rehabilitation, pain control, effusion control, joint hypomobility, proprioception, exercise rehabilitation methods (including strength training, balance and perturbation training), and clinical plyometrics, as well as rehabilitation discharge criteria. Emphasis is placed on consideration for the patient as a person, gender differences, joint preservation and providing a clinically-reasoned and rational approach to soft tissue knee injury and surgery rehabilitation. Collaboration and communication between the General Practitioner, surgeon, and physiotherapist as a multi-disciplinary team is essential for optimal clinical effectiveness and outcomes.