Patellar Realignment — Distal Patellar Realignment (Fulkerson / Elmslie-Trillat)

Mountain Orthopaedics · Mountain Ortho Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

PWB 40-60 lbs with crutches wks 0-2; PWB 80-100 lbs wks 3-4; D/C crutches after wk 4

Key Restrictions

Knee immobilizer full time wks 0-2; NO SLR wks 0-2; CKC before OC quad strengthening; McConnell taping if patellofemoral pain present wks 9-12; return to sport requires MD clearance

Timeline & Phases

Wks 0-2 (PWB 40-60 lbs, immobilizer, quad sets/ankle pumps, well leg bike/UE ergometer); Wks 3-4 (D/C immobilizer, AROM, crutches PWB 80-100 lbs, foot/ankle mobility); Wks 5-8 (formal PT, CKC quads, SLR, patellar mobs, OC hams, D/C crutches wk 4, hip mobility/LE control); Wks 9-12 (OC quads/hams, McConnell taping if needed); Wks 13-24 (HEP 3x/wk, return to sport with MD ok)

Notes

Fulkerson/Elmslie-Trillat osteotomy for patellar maltracking; hip mobility and LE control emphasized mid-phase; patellar mobilization central post-op; no specific RTS functional criteria listed - MD clearance required

Surgeon / Author

Mountain Ortho Clinical Team