ACL Reconstruction — (Hamstring Graft)

Mountain Orthopaedics · Mountain Ortho Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with crutches wk 1 (balance only); encourage FWB ASAP; advance per tolerance

Key Restrictions

Knee immobilizer 48 hrs only (exception: concomitant MCL tear); avoid all open chain x 12 wks; open chain max 25 lbs wks 17-24; hamstring bridge program begins wk 16; functional brace for contact sports only

Timeline & Phases

Week 1 (limited activity, WBAT, SLR 50 2x/day); Wks 2-8 (ROM: 0-120 wk 4, 0-130+ wk 6; CKC when no limp); Wks 9-12 (aggressive ROM, aerobic); Wks 13-16 (jogging/swimming/golf with MD OK at wk 12, plyometrics); Wks 17-24 (OC up to 25 lbs, retro training); Wk 25+ (return to sport)

Notes

Hamstring graft variant: jogging begins wk 12 (vs wk 8 BTB), bridge program delayed to wk 16, OC begins wk 17; return to sport: painless ROM = contralateral, no effusion, quad control, excellent agility/proprioception; Get Set Train Smarter app recommended

Surgeon / Author

Mountain Ortho Clinical Team