ICRS-FIFA-Aspetar consensus on the management of knee cartilage injuries in football players: part 2-appropriateness of specific surgical procedures to address articular cartilage lesions in different clinical scenarios using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method

The authors aimed to establish expert-based recommendations for the appropriateness of various surgical treatments for knee articular cartilage lesions in competitive football players, utilizing the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. They evaluated six surgical procedures across 96 clinical scenarios, finding that patient preference significantly influenced treatment suitability, with debridement plus orthobiologics favored for quick return to play and regenerative techniques preferred for long-term outcomes. The consensus provides broad guidelines for treatment, emphasizing the need for player-specific decisions.