PCL Reconstruction Rehabilitation Protocols

13 PCL Reconstruction rehabilitation protocols from 13 institutions, published 2018–2025. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.

Compare by institution

Institution	Weight-Bearing	Key Restrictions
Mammoth Orthopedic Institute / Sierra Park PT	WBAT with crutches; brace locked in extension x2 weeks for WB then unlocked for gait in…	Flexion limited 0-90 deg x6 weeks; brace on at all times including sleeping x6 weeks; no OKC hamstring work…
Massachusetts General Hospital	PWB initially; brace in extension; progress per phase criteria	No resisted open-chain hamstring exercises until Phase III (3-6 mo); avoid posterior tibial translation…
Mountain Orthopaedics	PWB with crutches x 6 wks; progressive WB wks 6-12; FWB Phase III+	Brace locked 0/0 deg x 6-8 wks; ROM limited 0-90 deg passive prone flexion or seated (anterior tibial…
Orthopaedic Associates of Maine	TDWB with crutches 4 wks; hinged neoprene brace 8 wks (locked full extension 4 wks, then…	TDWB 4 wks; hinged brace locked at full extension 4 wks; no resisted knee flexion 8 wks (passive flexion OK)…
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS)	Toe-touch WB in locked brace at 0 deg Phase I (brace worn 3 wks locked in extension for…	No active extension allowed Phase I; ROM performed prone; open chain knee extension exercises and isokinetic…
Saint Louis University (SLUCare)	NWB wks 1-2; TTWB wks 3-9; WBAT week 9; DC crutches when stable	Brace locked in extension wks 1-9; TTWB (no WB with knee flexed) through week 8; no active knee flexion or…
Sanford Health — PCL Reconstruction	NWB x 2 wks; modified WB to FWB ~6 wks	Drop lock brace x 8 wks; PROM 0-90° x 4-6 wks; no hamstring activity/active knee flexion x 12 wks; isolated…
Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation	FWB in brace wks 1-6; FWB no brace wks 6+; brace locked 0° wks 1-2, unlocked 0-90° wks 3-6	Brace locked 0° wks 1-2; no hamstring strengthening until 6 weeks post-op; no active knee flexion wks 3-4…
UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Sports Medicine — /…	Toe touch WB with crutches Phase I (0-4 wks); WBAT with crutches wks 4-8; FWB at 8 wks…	No OKC hamstring work throughout; maintain anterior pressure on proximal tibia during all ROM (neutral…
University of Delaware Physical Therapy	PWB with crutches and post-op orthosis locked week 1; wean crutches when quad strength >…	No hamstring curls 0-90° until week 12; running progression with functional brace begins at week 16; NMES at…
University of New Mexico (UNM) Sports Medicine	TDWB x 6 weeks with crutches; full WB as tolerated at 6-12 weeks	PCL stabilizing brace 3-6 months; brace locked at 0 degrees first 2 weeks, full ROM weeks 2-6; all ROM in…
University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery — PCL and/or…	50% WB for 6 weeks	50% WB for 6 weeks; brace locked 0° weeks 0-2, unlocked 0-90° weeks 2-6; ALL ROM exercises prone or…
UW Health Sports Medicine — Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)…	WBAT with brace locked in extension and axillary crutches; brace weaned weeks 4-6 as leg…	No open chain hamstring strengthening or hamstring stretching through Phase II; no bike Phase I-II; brace…