ACL Reconstruction

Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation · Kevin Roth MD

Weight-Bearing

WB to tolerance wk 1 → WBAT with assist wk 2 → FWB by end of wk 4; brace locked 0° wk 1

Key Restrictions

Brace locked 0° wk 1; running criteria-based (90% quad strength, single-leg squat, hop test, single-leg balance); RTS autograft 9 months, allograft 12 months

Timeline & Phases

Wk 1: WBAT, brace locked 0°, passive ext/flex ROM, quad/hamstring sets, SLR; Wk 2: WB with assist, brace unlocked, goal 90° flex, OKC/CKC strengthening; Wks 3-4: FWB without assist, ROM 10°/wk past 90°, leg press, step-ups, partial squats; Wks 4-6: d/c crutches (FWB by wk 4), full active/passive ext, flex near contralateral, bike, elliptical; Wks 6-8: FWB full AROM, intensify strengthening and cardio; Wks 8-12: FWB full pain-free ROM, dynamic single-leg exercises; Wks 12+: running when criteria met (90% quad strength, single-leg squat, hop test), plyometrics, agility, cutting 16+ wks; RTS autograft 9 mo, allograft 12 mo

Notes

Autograft RTS 9 months; allograft RTS 12 months; running progression is criteria-based, not time-based

Surgeon / Author

Kevin Roth MD

Published

2024