ACL Reconstruction

University of New Mexico (UNM) Sports Medicine · Will Curtis MD, Dustin Richter MD, Christopher Shultz MD, Gehron Treme MD…

Weight-Bearing

Full weight bearing immediately; no brace

Key Restrictions

No brace required; criteria-based progression through 5 phases

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (1-6 wks): FWB, quad activation, patellar mob, CKC strengthening (leg press 90-30 deg), stationary bike; Phase II (6-12 wks): stair climbing, CKC progression, elliptical, proprioception; Phase III (3-6 months): running, isokinetics, plyometrics, agility; Phase IV (6 months): return to practice; Phase V (8-9 months): full return to activity at surgeon discretion

Notes

PT starts 3-10 days post-op, 1-2x/week for 12+ weeks; criteria-based advancement; isokinetic testing at 12 weeks recommended; revised 2025

Surgeon / Author

Will Curtis MD, Dustin Richter MD, Christopher Shultz MD, Gehron Treme MD, Andrew Veitch MD

Published

2025