Robotic and Sensor-Guided Return to Play After Knee Cartilage Mosaicplasty in a Soccer Player: A Case Study

Mosaicplasty is an established cartilage repair technique; however, postoperative rehabilitation remains challenging in athletes requiring high neuromuscular control and functional performance. This case study examined the effects of an integrated robotic and sensor-based rehabilitation program using the Cyberdyne Hybrid Assistive Limb Single Joint and TecnoBody systems in a 33-year-old professional soccer player following medial femoral condyle mosaicplasty. The intervention was applied five days per week for three months. Gait parameters, balance, functional mobility, and lower extremity strength were assessed using validated TecnoBody systems and clinical tests. Post-intervention, static balance improved by 19.82% and 13.95% under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, respectively, while 10-meter walk and Timed Up and Go test times decreased by 46.40% and 45.89%. Step length increased bilaterally, accompanied by improvements in joint flexion angles and sit-to-stand performance. These findings support the feasibility and potential clinical value of integrated robotic rehabilitation following mosaicplasty in athletes (NCT06516380).