To our knowledge, despite animal studies evidence; there is no rehabilitation consensus for rehabilitation after native septic arthritis ok the knee. The objective was to develop and validate an early rehabilitation protocol for knee Staphylococcus aureus arthritis.

We followed, HAS guidelines to obtain formal consensus using several steps: systematic review of the literature, elaboration of a first version of the algorithm, critical review by a multidisciplinary expert panel involved in the management of septic arthritis (PMR physician, physiotherapist, rheumatologist, infectious disease physician, orthopaedic surgeon). Modification of the draft version, to obtain the final version of the algorithm.

Only six of the 17 professionals asked to evaluate the established rehabilitation protocol responded. Among the 24 items proposed in this rehabilitation strategy, 79.2% obtained a direct validation. Five items scored below 5/10 with associated comments were discussed. The modifications in relation to the different opinions were carried out in order to obtain a final version of the algorithm. The rehabilitation strategy is based on 3 main successive phases: early mobilization to recover range of motion, muscular strengthening first unloaded without any resistance, then gradual re-loading with walking stick to finish with functional work.

The use of a rigorous methodology resulted in a consensus strategy for early rehabilitation management. A clinical prospective validation is needed to definitely approve the effectiveness and tolerance of the algorithm. Daily practice implementation is also needed.