Microfracture — Arthroscopy with Microfracture

UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Sports Medicine · Thomas Kremen MD

Weight-Bearing

NWB x 4 wks; 50% WB wks 4-6; FWB at 6 wks; exception: WBAT at 1-2 wks for patellar/trochlear lesion with brace locked in extension; brace locked at 0° for all WB until 8 wks

Key Restrictions

CPM 8 hrs/day full ROM for 4 wks; brace locked at 0° for all WB until 8 wks; no CKC exercises until 6 wks; wall slides begin at 6 wks; aquatic therapy at 6 wks; treadmill walking at 8 wks; leg press 1-45°; patellar/trochlear lesion: WBAT 1-2 wks with brace locked in extension instead of NWB

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-4 wks): NWB (WBAT if patellar/trochlear lesion), CPM 8 hrs/day, quad sets/SLR/heel slides, ankle pumps, FES for trace-poor quad, hamstring/calf stretching | Phase II (4-8 wks, criteria-based): progress to FWB at 6 wks, wall slides 0-45° at 6 wks, aquatic therapy at 6 wks, 4-way hip, CKC TKE, calf raises, balance, treadmill gait at 8 wks | Phase III (criteria-based): normal gait/full flex/good quad, HS curl, leg press 1-45°, CKC progression, Nordic Trac, pool jogging with wet vest | Phase IV (criteria-based): return to work/sport, slide board, walk/jog, vertical jump, cutting/figure 8/carioca, sport-specific drills

Notes

NWB exception for patellar/trochlear lesion: WBAT at 1-2 wks with brace locked in extension; CPM 8 hrs/day for 4 wks; brace locked at 0° for all WB until 8 wks post-op; wall slides begin at 6 wks; treadmill at 8 wks; aquatic jogging with wet vest in Phase III; no CKC exercises until 6 wks; criteria-based progression; Kremen MD UCLA PatientPop practice site

Surgeon / Author

Thomas Kremen MD