Osteotomy Rehabilitation Protocols
8 Osteotomy rehabilitation protocols from 7 institutions, published 2007–2024. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.
Compare by institution
| Institution | Weight-Bearing | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… | NWB x 3 weeks; partial WB weeks 3-6 if adequate bony healing per MD; CPM option (2-4 hr… | No impact, torque, or unprotected WB x 3 weeks; no knee flexion beyond 90 deg x 3 weeks (uncasted); no… |
| Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… | NWB x 3 weeks (long leg cast with derotation spreader bar or abduction pillow); partial… | No impact, torque, or unprotected WB x 3 weeks; minimize fall risk; do not lift child by spreader bar… |
| Massachusetts General Hospital — High Tibial Osteotomy | NWB / TDWB wks 0-4; progressive WB per osteotomy healing | Brace locked in extension wks 0-4; no rotational stress on operative extremity; WB restricted until… |
| NYU Langone Health — Distal Femoral Osteotomy (DFO) | TTWB | TTWB w/ brace locked in extension 0-6 wks; no AROM 0-6 wks; no closed chain exercises until 6 wks; impact… |
| Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS) — Distal… | Toe-touch WB in locked brace at 0 deg x6 wks Phase I (brace worn 2 wks locked in… | ROM 0-90 deg while supine Phase I (progress past 90 after 2 wks); avoid open chain exercises Phase II… |
| UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Sports Medicine… | NWB with brace locked in extension x 6 wks; WBAT wk 7 with 2 crutches; D/C crutches when… | NWB x 6 wks; brace locked in extension for all activities except therapeutic exercises/CPM x 4 wks; brace… |
| University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery — High Tibial… | 25% WB weeks 0-4; medial opening wedge HTO: 50% WB weeks 4-6, WBAT weeks 6-8; FWB without… | No active hamstring exercises first 2 weeks; brace 0-90° then full ROM; caution with CKC knee flexion >90°… |
| University Orthopedics (Brown University) — High Tibial… | NWB x 6 weeks, then PWB, WBAT when gait normal | NWB x 6 weeks; no contact sports until 6 months post-op |
All 8 Osteotomy protocols
Osteotomy — Distal Femoral Extension Osteotomy
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
Osteotomy — Distal Femoral Rotational Osteotomy
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
Osteotomy — High Tibial Osteotomy
Massachusetts General Hospital
Osteotomy — Distal Femoral Osteotomy (DFO)
NYU Langone Health
Osteotomy — Distal Femoral Osteotomy (DFO)
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS)
Osteotomy — High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO) / Femoral Osteotomy
UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Sports Medicine
Osteotomy — High Tibial Osteotomy / Distal Femoral Osteotomy (HTO/DFO)
University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery
Osteotomy — High Tibial Osteotomy
University Orthopedics (Brown University)