Environmental life cycle assessment of surgical versus conservative care pathways for an anterior cruciate ligament injury

This Switzerland-based study evaluated and compared the environmental impacts from surgical and conservative care pathways after an anterior cruciate ligament injury using Life Cycle Assessment; it also identified the environmental hotspots stemming from the surgery itself, as well as from physiotherapy. 
This seems to be the first published quantitative environmental evaluation of physiotherapy practice and results indicate that a large share of environmental impacts can be attributed to transportation of patient and staff, laundry, and space heating. Recommendations should encourage soft mobility, patient’s self-management, and the physiotherapist’s following of evidence-based guidelines. Reducing laundry frequency can be relevant as well.