Quad / Patellar Tendon Repair — Quadriceps Tendon Repair

Mammoth Orthopedic Institute / Sierra Park PT · Brian B. Gilmer MD (US Ski Team Physician); Karly M. Dawson PA-C; Rachel…

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with crutches and brace locked 0 deg at all times x6 weeks; brace gradually opened (40 deg wks 6-7, 90 deg wks 8-10, wean wks 10-12)

Key Restrictions

PROM 0-30 deg only x2 weeks; no active knee extension x6+ weeks (begins at wks 9-10); brace locked 0 deg at all times until wk 6; avoid hyperextension; flexion to 115 deg wks 7-8 (no active quad ext); avoid forceful eccentric contractions Phase IV; avoid impact Phase IV (jogging/plyos from wk 16+)

Timeline & Phases

4 phases: Phase I (0-2 wks, WBAT brace locked, PROM 0-30 deg, quad sets no active ext, UBE), Phase II (2-6 wks, WBAT brace locked, ROM progressing to 90 deg, SLR and 4-way hip), Phase III (6-12 wks, brace opened 40 to 90 deg to wean, CKC squats 0-40 deg, active quad ext from wks 9-10), Phase IV (12-16 wks, full ROM, SL stance 10 sec, jogging/elliptical/plyos from wk 16+)

Notes

References University of Wisconsin; brace opening graduated in Phase III (40 deg wks 6-7, 90 deg wks 8-10, wean wks 10-12); active quad extension not allowed until wks 9-10; jogging/plyos from wk 16+; pass RTS test; Rachel Georgeson MSPT April 2016; Gilmer MD April 2016

Surgeon / Author

Brian B. Gilmer MD (US Ski Team Physician); Karly M. Dawson PA-C; Rachel Georgeson MSPT

Published

April 2016