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 (<i>p</i> = 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.