Hip Arthroscopy / Labral Repair — Hip Arthroscopy (with or without Microfracture)

Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation · Kevin Roth MD

Weight-Bearing

50% PWB wks 1-2 (Microfracture: touchdown WB wks 1-6); FWB wks 3-6 (Microfracture: continues touchdown); FWB wks 6+; Microfracture: CPM 8 hrs/day for 6 weeks

Key Restrictions

Flex 0-90°, ext 0°, abd 30°, IR neutral at 90° flex, ER 30° at 90° flex wks 1-2; avoid SLR wks 1-6; no joint/capsular mobilizations; Microfracture modifier: touchdown WB 6 weeks + CPM 8 hrs/day 6 weeks; RTS 4-6 months with MD clearance

Timeline & Phases

Wks 1-2: 50% PWB (touchdown for microfracture), flex 0-90°, ext 0°, abd 30°, IR neutral at 90°, ER 30° at 90°, CPM 8 hrs/day if microfracture — bike without resistance, isometrics (quad, glut, hamstring digs), prone lying, STM/scar massage, no joint mobs; Wks 3-6: FWB (touchdown continues for microfracture), ROM as tolerated, CPM continues — avoid SLR, restore normal gait, weight shifting, step-over drill, glut med strengthening (clamshells, side-lying abduction), bike without resistance → add resistance wks 5-6; Wks 6-12: FWB, full ROM — begin SLR (flexion), glut med progression (SLB on foam pad → bosu ball, side steps with theraband), bike with resistance, slide board, crab/monster walk; Wks 12+: FWB — treadmill walking → jogging, SL squats, lunges, side planks, plyometrics, sport-specific at 80% hip strength, RTS 4-6 months with MD clearance

Notes

Microfracture modifier: touchdown WB for 6 weeks and CPM 8 hrs/day for 6 weeks; RTS 4-6 months with MD clearance; sport-specific training when hip strength 80% of contralateral

Surgeon / Author

Kevin Roth MD

Published

2025