MPFL Reconstruction

Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation · Kevin Roth MD

Weight-Bearing

Touchdown WB (1/6 body weight) wks 1-2; WBAT wean crutches wks 2-6; FWB wks 6+; brace locked 0° wks 1-2

Key Restrictions

Brace locked 0° wks 1-2; no WB exercise in flexion >90° wks 2-6; patellar stabilization brace for sport months 3-4

Timeline & Phases

Wks 1-2: Touchdown WB, brace locked 0°, ROM as tolerated — heel slides, passive ext, quad sets, SLR in extension, hamstring digs; Wks 2-6: WBAT wean crutches, brace unlocked when quad control adequate (remove for exercise/hygiene), no WB in flexion >90° — OKC (SLR, hip strengthening), CKC (heel raises, leg press, weight shifts), trunk stabilization; Wks 6-12: FWB, patellar stabilization brace for ambulation, advance to full ROM — stationary bike, CKC (step-downs, single-leg balance, terminal knee ext, full squat to 90°, SL squat), wall sits, lunges; Months 3-4: FWB, brace for sport only, full ROM — advance strengthening, proprioception/plyometrics, treadmill jogging, agility, sport-specific drills; Months 4-6: FWB, no brace, gradual RTS, home maintenance program

Notes

5-phase protocol; patellar stabilization brace used for sport months 3-4 only; RTS months 4-6

Surgeon / Author

Kevin Roth MD

Published

2024