ACL Reconstruction — + Meniscus Repair

Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation · Kevin Roth MD

Weight-Bearing

50% PWB wks 1-2; no WB in flexion >90° through wks 6-8; FWB by wks 6-8; brace locked 0° wks 1-2

Key Restrictions

50% PWB wks 1-2; no WB in flexion >90° wks 1-8; brace locked 0° wks 1-2; running criteria-based at wks 12-16; sprinting/cutting at 20+ wks; RTS 9-12 months with MD clearance

Timeline & Phases

Wk 1: 50% PWB, brace locked 0°, ROM 0-90°, passive ext, quad/ankle exercises; Wk 2: 50% PWB, brace locked 0°, OKC (SLR, hip strengthening), CKC (leg press); Wks 3-4: advance to 75% WB with crutches, brace unlocked 0-90°, ROM 10°/wk; Wks 4-6: FWB with crutches, d/c brace, flex within ~10° of uninvolved, step-ups, heel raises; Wks 6-8: FWB, d/c crutches, full ROM — stair climber, single-leg activities (no WB in flex >90°); Wks 8-12: FWB full pain-free ROM, lunges/leg press 0-90°, dynamic single-leg, plyometrics; Wks 12-16: stationary bike, running criteria-based (90% quad strength, hop test), plyometrics; Wks 16-24: elliptical, running, plyometrics; 20+ wks: sprinting, cutting/pivoting; RTS 9-12 months with MD clearance

Notes

Combined ACL reconstruction + meniscus repair; no WB in flexion >90° wks 1-8; more conservative than isolated ACL; RTS 9-12 months with MD clearance

Surgeon / Author

Kevin Roth MD

Published

2024