Patellar Realignment — Proximal-Distal Realignment

University of Delaware Physical Therapy · UDPT Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

WBAT in immobilizer; no full WB without immobilizer for 8 weeks (risk of fracture)

Key Restrictions

No full WB without immobilizer for 8 weeks; no NMES over VMO; no Burst testing or hop testing until 20 weeks; running when QI ≥ 90% and ≥ 20 weeks; unilateral CKC requires MD clearance and x-ray confirming no loosening; no squats or lunges

Timeline & Phases

Week 1 (Early Post-op), Weeks 2-6 (Intermediate Post-op), Weeks 7-16 (Late Post-op); 22-48 visits expected; return to sport at 9 months; full ADL return in 5-6 months

Notes

University of Delaware PT Clinic; primary: medial VMO realignment + distal realignment with rigid fixation; secondary: chondroplasty, limited lateral release; more conservative than isolated proximal realignment due to bone healing (4-6 weeks) and soft tissue healing (5-6 weeks); risk of stress riser/fracture in first 12 weeks; bilateral CKC only in weeks 4-6

Surgeon / Author

UDPT Clinical Team