Patellar Fracture ORIF

Gundersen Health System (GLSM) · Gundersen Lutheran Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with knee locked in extension wks 0-6; full WB with brace unlocked wks 6-10; D/C brace wks 10-12

Key Restrictions

Knee immobilizer at all times wks 0-2 except PT, converted to hinged brace at first post-op visit; ROM 0-30 deg wks 0-2, then add 15 deg flexion per week to 90 deg by wk 6, full ROM by wk 10; brace locked in extension for WB wks 2-6 (may remove at night); isometric strengthening only until straight leg raises begin wk 2; stationary bike from wk 10

Timeline & Phases

5 phases: Phase I (0-2 wks, immobilizer, ROM 0-30, isometrics), Phase II (2-6 wks, brace locked for WB, +15 deg flexion/wk to 90, SLR), Phase III (6-10 wks, brace unlocked, full WB, full ROM by wk 10), Phase IV (10-12 wks, D/C brace, stationary bike), Phase V (3-6 months, return to full activities as tolerated)

Notes

Brief one-page protocol; adapted from NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases; isometric quad, hamstring, adductor and abductor strengthening with ankle theraband exercises throughout early phases

Surgeon / Author

Gundersen Lutheran Sports Medicine

Published

January 2017