MPFL Reconstruction

Mountain Orthopaedics · Mountain Ortho Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with crutches wk 1 (balance only); encourage FWB ASAP

Key Restrictions

Knee brace locked in full extension x 2 wks; transition out of brace wks 3-4; D/C brace by wk 4; avoid all open chain x 12 wks; open chain limited to 5 lbs initially at wks 13-16

Timeline & Phases

Wk 1 (WBAT, brace locked extension, SLR 50 2x/day, ankle pumps, ted hose); Wks 2-6 (ROM: full extension by POD 7, 0-130 by wk 4; CKC when no limp, no OC x 12 wks, well leg/UE conditioning); Wks 7-8 (aggressive ROM, aerobic); Wks 9-12 (jogging/golf/swimming with MD OK at wk 8); Wks 13-16 (OC 5 lbs max if full painless ROM); return to sport with MD clearance

Notes

Similar framework to ACL protocol; brace locked 0 deg x 2 wks then weaned; open chain begins wk 13 at 5 lb max; return to sport: full painless ROM, no effusion, quad control, excellent agility/proprioception

Surgeon / Author

Mountain Ortho Clinical Team