Patellar Realignment — (Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy)

UW Health Sports Medicine · UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine physician group

Weight-Bearing

Scerpella/Day/Spiker: NWB or TDWB for 6 weeks; Baer: WBAT without pain; brace locked in extension for gait and ADLs

Key Restrictions

Brace locked in extension for all gait/ADLs; no driving Phase I; CKC 0-30° progressing to 0-60° Phase II; no CKC >90° Phase III; avoid post-activity swelling

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-6 wks): locked brace, surgeon-specific WB, ROM 0-90°; Phase II (6-10 wks): progressive WB, short arc CKC, balance; Phase III (10 wks+): full ROM, CKC up to 90°, quadriceps/hip/core; Phase IV (14-16 wks+): impact, RTS (<15% deficit Biodex, force plate, hop tests)

Notes

Covers distal realignment (tibial tubercle osteotomy), MPFL repair/reconstruction, and lateral retinacular release. WB restrictions vary significantly by surgeon. 4-phase criterion-based protocol with functional testing for RTS clearance.

Surgeon / Author

UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine physician group

Published

2018-01