ACL Reconstruction — Quad Tendon Autograft

Mammoth Orthopedic Institute / Sierra Park PT · Brian B. Gilmer MD (US Ski Team Physician); Karly M. Dawson PA-C; Andrea Dillon…

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with crutches; DC crutches when quad control returns and full extension achieved; brace unlocked after first PT visit

Key Restrictions

Brace locked in extension until 1st PT visit; no open chain resistive with weights (bands OK); no downhill walking/running/skiing/biking x4.5 months; earliest RTS 9 months; must pass return to sport test

Timeline & Phases

5 phases: Phase I (0-3 wks, WBAT brace locked), Phase II (3-6 wks, full ROM, advanced strengthening, DC brace at 6 wks), Phase III (6 wks-3 months, neuromuscular retraining, pool, treadmill walking), Phase IV (3-5 months, running at 75%, agility), Phase V (5-8 months, plyometrics, RTS testing at 9 months)

Notes

References Mammoth Orthopedic Institute and The Steadman Clinic (Dr. Peter Millett); return to sport criteria: quad/hamstring ≥90%, SL hop/vertical jump ≥90%, no effusion or quad atrophy; earliest RTS 9 months; Andrea Dillon PT 6/21/16; Gilmer MD 6/21/2016

Surgeon / Author

Brian B. Gilmer MD (US Ski Team Physician); Karly M. Dawson PA-C; Andrea Dillon PT

Published

June 2016