Hardware Removal — Proximal Femoral Plate Removal

Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA) · CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado

Weight-Bearing

Protected WB (no cast) x 6 weeks; WB aggressiveness determined by MD, bone density, and x-ray findings

Key Restrictions

No impact, torque, or unprotected WB x 6 weeks; risk of femoral fracture at surgical site x 6 weeks with impact/rotation/torque/falling; avoid aggressive/forceful ROM at osteotomy site; spasticity complications; osteopenic precautions

Timeline & Phases

Phase 1 (days 1-7): progressive WB, PROM/AAROM/AROM (mid-range), positioning/bracing, mobility; Phase 2 (days 8-21): functional balance, full LE ROM all planes, endurance strengthening (high rep/low resistance); Phase 3 (day 22+): scar mobility at ~4-6 weeks, return to pre-surgical function, independent HEP

Notes

Pediatric; indication is healed femoral osteotomy; internal fixation hardware removed from femur; femoral fracture risk at pin/screw sites for ~6 weeks; healing ~6 weeks; Children's Colorado CGMA

Surgeon / Author

CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado

Published

October 2007