Lateral Ankle Ligament Repair Rehabilitation Protocols

10 Lateral Ankle Ligament Repair rehabilitation protocols from 10 institutions, published 2014–2024. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.

Compare by institution

Institution	Weight-Bearing	Key Restrictions
iOrtho — Brostrom Repair	NWB with crutches wks 0-2; WBAT in boot wks 2-8; WBAT in shoe with active ankle brace wks…	No inversion or plantarflexion ROM wks 0-2; no inversion throughout early phases; ankle mobilizations must…
Mammoth Orthopedic Institute — Brostrom Repair	NWB x2 weeks; WBAT x4 weeks in CAM boot; FWB with brace at 6-8 weeks	No passive stretching into PF and inversion; no plyometrics prior to 11-12 weeks; no return to sports prior…
Massachusetts General Hospital — Brostrom Lateral Ankle…	NWB crutches wks 0-2; WBAT in boot wks 3-6; WBAT in shoe with active ankle brace wks 7-8+	No inversion or PF ROM wks 0-2; avoid inversion throughout early phases; ankle mobs must avoid stress to CFL…
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center — Brostrom…	NWB in CAM boot wks 0-2; progressive WB in boot wks 2-6; FWB wk 6+	No active or passive ankle inversion or eversion x 6 wks; low grade joint mobs of accessory joints only…
Orthopaedic Associates of Maine	NWB 3 wks; FWB in walking boot 3-6 wks; Aircast splint for day-to-day 6-12 wks	No passive inversion or forceful eversion 6 wks; avoid plantarflexion > resting position 4 wks; 90°…
Samaritan Athletic Medicine (SAM Health) — (Chronic Lateral…	NWB 0-3 wks; PWB 3-6 wks; FWB 6+ wks	No inversion until 8 wks; ATFL +/- CFL repair; expect limited inversion and small eversion deficit post-op
Sanford Health — Modified Brostrom Procedure (Lateral Ankle…	WBAT in boot 0-4 wks; wean to ankle brace/shoe at 4-6 wks; brace during sports-specific…	Intended for patients with internal bracing (without internal brace, WB/ROM/RTS may be delayed); no passive…
SOMOS (Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons) — Ankle…	Wks 0-2: NWB in splint/SLC; Wks 2-4: WBAT (no passive PF stretching); Wks 4-6: WBAT in…	NWB wks 0-2; no inversion PROM/AAROM past neutral first 4 weeks; no passive PF stretching wks 2-4; CAM boot…
University of Colorado Anschutz (CU) — Modified Brostrom…	NWB in splint wks 0-2; WBAT in boot wks 2-4; WBAT in boot all ADLs wks 4-6; WBAT in…	NO INVERSION until 12 wks; no ankle/foot ROM wks 0-4; no talar distraction or anterior glides; wean to ASO…
UW Health Sports Medicine — Lateral Ankle Reconstruction…	NWB until post-op surgeon visit; then TDWB in boot or cast	No inversion/eversion ROM for 6 weeks; no jumping/hopping until Phase IV (~14 weeks); wean to ankle…