• Transcutaneous electrical stimulation combined with conventional rehabilitation was most effective for improving VAS and WOMAC stiffness scores.
• Ultrasound combined with conventional rehabilitation showed the best improvement in Lysholm knee score and WOMAC total score.
• Pulsed electromagnetic field combined with conventional rehabilitation had the highest potential for improving overall quality of life (SF-36).
• All physical factor therapies were safe, with only mild adverse events reported.