Effectiveness of physical rehabilitation in young volleyball players following meniscus suture repair via knee arthroscopy for enhancing return-to-sport (RTS)

The study evaluated the effectiveness of different rehabilitation methods for young volleyball players aged 15‐20 following knee arthroscopy for internal meniscus repair. The study, conducted in Moscow from March to September 2025, included 20 participants who were divided into two groups: one group received standard physiotherapy and exercise (Group A), and the other group received the same treatment plus massage therapy (Group B). Assessments were conducted three to four weeks post‐surgery, focusing on knee flexion, extension, and pain levels measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Significant differences were observed in knee extension as well, with Group A improving from 20 to 39 degrees, while Group B increased from 30 to 42 degrees. The results indicated P‐values of 0.03 for flexion and 0.02 for extension, indicating the positive impact of incorporating massage therapy in the rehabilitation programme. The results also demonstrated a significant difference in pain intensity between the two groups (p = 0.01), highlighting the effectiveness of incorporating massage therapy in reducing early post‐operative pain in young volleyball players following meniscus suture repair. Overall, the study revealed the importance of comprehensive rehabilitation strategies for enhancing recovery in young athletes post‐surgery.