Deep Oscillation Therapy Shown to Enhance Cartilage healing After Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation
LONDON, UK – New research published in Life (2025, 15, 1066) highlights the critical role of detailed rehabilitation protocols – and specifically, the physical agent Deep Oscillation – in optimizing outcomes following Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation (OAT) for cartilage repair. The study, led by Gherghel, R.and colleagues, demonstrates that integrating Deep Oscillation into early recovery considerably contributes to pain reduction, improved lymphatic drainage, and ultimately, superior graft integration.
The research evaluated various recovery paths post-OAT, finding that a 12-week structured rehabilitation program incorporating Deep Oscillation alongside TENS, ultrasound, and cryotherapy yielded the most promising results. Deep Oscillation was applied for 15 minutes during the initial 6-week phase (Phase I), utilizing a frequency of 170-250 Hz for the first 10 minutes and 70-90 Hz for the final 5 minutes.
Notably, the group combining OAT wiht Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) and the complete rehabilitation protocol – including Deep Oscillation – achieved the highest mean MOCART 2.0 score (96.1), indicating near-complete morphological restoration. Researchers cite Deep Oscillation’s established benefits in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, including pain reduction, anti-inflammatory activity, and oedema reabsorption, as key factors in its success.
Thes findings underscore the importance of combining biological augmentation like BMAC with prolonged, structured recovery plans that leverage effective physiotherapeutic strategies such as Deep Oscillation to promote structural regeneration and long-term graft survival.
