MPFL Reconstruction Rehabilitation Protocols

21 MPFL Reconstruction rehabilitation protocols from 18 institutions, published 2014–2025. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.

Institution	Weight-Bearing	Key Restrictions
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) — Medial…	TTWB with crutches wks 1-2; WBAT wean crutches wk 2; brace locked full extension (-10 deg…	Brace locked extension at all times wks 1-2 (incl sleep); increase flex 10 deg/day Phase I (CPM if available…
Dr. David P. Trofa MD (Columbia University Medical Center)	WBAT with hinged brace locked in extension wks 0-6; WB as tolerated with focus on normal…	Hinged brace locked in extension for all activities including sleep wks 0-6 (removed for PT, ROM and…
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center — Medial Patellofemoral…	WBAT with brace locked → FWB	Brace locked in extension for gait/ADLs 0-4-6 wks; ROM limited to 0-90 deg Phase I; no active extension Phase…
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center — with Tibial Tubercle…	Brace locked in extension wks 0-6; progressive WB; brace off after wk 8	ROM restricted 0-6 wks (full ext wk 1-2, 30° wk 3, 60° wk 4, 90° wk 5, 120° wk 6); medial patellar glides…
Mammoth Orthopedic Institute — Medial Patellofemoral Ligament…	WBAT with 2 crutches; brace locked 0° for ambulation x6 weeks; FWB in brace locked 0° by…	Brace locked 0° for ambulation x6 weeks; PROM 0-30° flexion x2 weeks; avoid lateral patellar glides…
Massachusetts General Hospital — Medial Patellofemoral…	Brace locked, PWB wks 0-1; WBAT with crutches per MD; walk without crutches when no…	Keep knee straight and elevated when sitting/lying — do NOT rest with towel under knee; TTO concomitant…
Massachusetts General Hospital — Pediatric	PWB 25% with brace locked in extension wks 0-2; WBAT Phase II; FWB Phase III	Brace locked, PWB 25% wks 0-2; unlock brace once SLR without lag; DC brace at 6 wks per surgeon; knee flexion…
Mountain Orthopaedics	WBAT with crutches wk 1 (balance only); encourage FWB ASAP	Knee brace locked in full extension x 2 wks; transition out of brace wks 3-4; D/C brace by wk 4; avoid all…
NYU Langone Health	WBAT	Brace locked at 0 for ambulation and sleeping 0-6 wks; ROM limited to 30 deg 0-2 wks; goal 90 deg by wk 6…
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center — Medial…	WBAT with axillary crutches (refer to surgeon operative report for WB precautions)…	Refer to operative report for WB precautions; patellar mobilizations superior/medial only for 6 wks, no…
Orthopaedic Associates of Maine	WBAT; knee immobilizer for ambulation 2 wks; FWB by end of wk 2	Knee immobilizer for ambulation 2 wks; regular patellar mobilization (grade I-II if good mobility ≥3…
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS)	Brace locked in extension for ambulation/sleeping x2 wks Phase I (may unlock while…	Avoid active extension Phase I; avoid post-activity swelling and closed chain exercises on land past 90 deg…
Parker Orthopedics (Dallas, TX)	WBAT; crutches and partial weight bearing used for the first couple of weeks when pain or…	milestone-based (not time-based) progression strongly emphasized; for non-sport patients: formal PT likely…
Saint Louis University (SLUCare) — MPFL Reconstruction /…	WBAT with brace locked in extension; brace DC after wk 8 if full extension and no lag…	Brace locked in extension; milestone to unlock: 20 reps 4-way SLR without lag, SL squat with adequate quad…
Sanford Health — MPFL Reconstruction	WB immediately in locked brace (full extension)	Brace locked x 6 wks; knee flexion limited 0-90° x 6 wks; no biking x 6 wks; prevent hip internal rotation…
Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation	Touchdown WB (1/6 body weight) wks 1-2; WBAT wean crutches wks 2-6; FWB wks 6+; brace…	Brace locked 0° wks 1-2; no WB exercise in flexion >90° wks 2-6; patellar stabilization brace for sport…
University of Delaware Physical Therapy — with Proximal…	WBAT in immobilizer locked at full extension for 4 weeks; progress to functional brace	No NMES over VMO; no MVIC until 12 weeks; no Burst test until 16 weeks; hop testing at 20 weeks; running when…
University of New Mexico (UNM) Sports Medicine — (with or…	WBAT; if TTO: brace locked in extension Phase I; discontinue crutches as swelling and…	If TTO: brace locked in extension 0-2 weeks, open to 0-90 degrees weeks 2-6, D/C brace at 6-12 weeks; no…
University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery	50% WB weeks 0-2; WBAT in brace weeks 2-4; progress to FWB	Brace 0-90° weeks 0-4; no ambulation without brace first 4 weeks; avoid lateralization of patella; avoid…
University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery — / Tibial…	50% WB for 6 weeks (more conservative than MPFL alone)	50% WB for 6 weeks; no ambulation without brace first 6 weeks; brace 0-70° weeks 0-2, 0-90° weeks 2-4, unlock…
UW Health Sports Medicine — MPFL Repair and Reconstruction	WBAT with crutches; post-op brace locked in extension initially	Post-op brace locked in extension; avoid rotational knee movements; no impact until Phase III (12+ weeks)…

MPFL Reconstruction Rehabilitation Protocols

Compare by institution

All 21 MPFL Reconstruction protocols

Related Knee topics