MPFL Reconstruction — Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center · OSU Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with crutches wk 0-2 in brace locked extension; FWB by wk 2-3; D/C crutches wk 3-4

Key Restrictions

Brace locked extension x 2 wks; brace unlocked 0-90 deg wks 2-4; D/C brace wk 6; no isolated hamstrings strengthening until wk 8; no lateral patellar mobilizations; quad set progression (prone → supine → TKE); adolescent athletes may require >8 months for safe return to sport; adherence to timeline + criteria strongly recommended over timeframe only

Timeline & Phases

5 phases: Phase I Protection (0-2 wks, brace locked ext, WBAT, PROM, NMES with quad sets), Phase II (2-6 wks, brace 0-90, progressive WB/ROM, bike wk 3-4), Phase III (6-12 wks, D/C brace, progressive strengthening), Phase IV (3-6 months, advanced strengthening, begin jogging), Phase V (6-9+ months, return to sport)

Notes

.edu site; 2023 CPG format; adolescent athletes: prolonged rehab (>8 months) recommended; graft options noted: hamstring, adductor magnus, VMO, quad tendon, allograft; outcome tools: Kujala, Lysholm, IKDC, Norwich Patellar Instability Score; MPFL is primary static restraint to lateral translation during first 20-30 deg flexion; return to sport 9+ months for adolescent athletes

Surgeon / Author

OSU Sports Medicine

Published

2023