Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction

Mountain Orthopaedics · Mountain Ortho Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

NWB with crutches x 6 wks; progressive WB wks 6-12; FWB Phase III+

Key Restrictions

Brace locked 0 deg x 6 wks; ROM 30-90 deg WITH VALGUS STRESS APPLIED wks 0-4; NO hyperextension at any phase; limit flexion to 90 deg until wk 4; no varus stress; functional brace fitting at wk 20+; sports test required for return to competition

Timeline & Phases

Phase 1 Max Protection (wks 0-6): NWB, brace locked 0, patellar mobs, ROM 30-90 with valgus stress, quad sets/SLR in brace; Phase 2 Progressive (wks 6-12): progressive WB, bilateral CKC squats, hip strengthening, step-up, gym strengthening, stationary bike/walking/elliptical; Phase 3 Advanced (wks 12-20): full ROM, advance cardio, CKC bilateral to unilateral, pool running wk 16; Phase 4 Plyometric (wks 20-24): straight plane running progressing to lateral/rotational, plyometrics bilateral to unilateral, functional brace fitting, sports test

Notes

NWB x 6 wks (stricter than PCL); valgus stress during early ROM protects PLC repair from varus loading; no hyperextension throughout all phases; sports test required before competition clearance; one of the longer more conservative knee protocols

Surgeon / Author

Mountain Ortho Clinical Team