In accordance with the protocol, quantitative synthesis
was conducted on comparable key outcomes across trials
that had similar interventions (nature of intervention)
and timing of assessments (at approximately 6 months,
12 months and 2 years post-surgery). Tools developed to
measure the same underlying domain of the International
Classification of Functioning15 were defined as
comparable outcomes. Subject and methodological
experts (AR/CW/GJ) identified the combinations of
trials and outcomes on which to conduct meta-analyses.
All results were reported in the context of overall risk of
bias for a trial