Quad / Patellar Tendon Repair — Quadriceps Tendon / Patellar Tendon Repair

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center · OSU Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

FWB with brace locked in extension x 6 wks; typically WB with TROM open x 1-2 wks prior to discharge from brace

Key Restrictions

No flexion >90 deg x 6 wks; no forced flexion x 8-10 wks; no loaded CKC quad strengthening x 6 wks; OKC progression: multi-angle isometrics at wk 4, LAQ at wk 6 (add weight as able), knee extension machine at wk 8 (partial → full); refer to operative note for ROM guidelines; long-term quad strength deficits are common — can exhaust insurance-approved PT visits

Timeline & Phases

4 phases: Phase I Protection (0-2 wks, brace locked ext, PROM ≤60 deg, quad sets with NMES), Phase II (2-6 wks, progress flexion to 90 deg, multi-angle isometrics wk 4, LAQ wk 6, stationary bike wk 4), Phase III (6-12 wks, D/C brace, full ROM, knee ext machine wk 8, progressive strengthening), Phase IV (12+ wks, power/endurance, return to function/sport)

Notes

.edu site; CPG format; April 2020; covers both quad AND patellar tendon repair; risk factors noted: long-term quad deficits, insurance visit exhaustion; OKC progression timeline explicit (isometrics wk 4 → LAQ wk 6 → machine wk 8); outcome tools: LEFS, Lysholm; Cho-Pat strap/patellar taping for PF symptoms; criterion-based

Surgeon / Author

OSU Sports Medicine

Published

April 2020