Quad / Patellar Tendon Repair — Patellar Tendon Repair

SOMOS (Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons) · Tri-Service Orthopedics & Physical Therapy Consultants

Weight-Bearing

Brace locked ext for ambulation; ROM 0-30° wks 1-2, NWB ROM 0-60° wk 3 progressing 10°/wk to 90° by wk 6; d/c brace when gait WNL and 120° flex achieved; WB per Ortho

Key Restrictions

ROM 0-30° wks 1-2, 0-60° wk 3 progressing 10°/wk; brace locked ext for WB; avoid tendon overload (squatting, deep knee bends, lunges) Phase 2; no running Phase 2; jump training after 24 weeks; pass fitness test 9-10 months; RTS 9-12 months

Timeline & Phases

Phase 1 (wks 0-6): brace locked ext, ROM 0-30° progressing to 90° by wk 6 — quad/glute/HS isometrics (e-stim PRN), multi-dir hip endurance, calf pumps, heel slides, passive ext to 0°, SAQ, LE stretching, stationary bike within ROM, pool when healed; Phase 2 (wks 7-12): d/c brace when gait WNL + 120° flex, no running — bike/elliptical, gradual LE strengthening (squats/lunges/leg press with very gradual knee extension loading), gait training, step-ups 2 inch progressing, DL to SL balance/proprioception, pool; Phase 3 (months 3-6): swimming, step-up/step-down progression, gradual quad stretching, progressive LE strengthening (squats 0-60° wks 13-16), walk to jog wks 16-20, speed/agility 25-50% wks 20-26, jump training after 24 wks; pass fitness test 9-10 months; RTS 9-12 months

Notes

Tri-Service guidelines (Army/Navy/Air Force); published May 2020; military population; jump training not initiated until after 24 weeks

Surgeon / Author

Tri-Service Orthopedics & Physical Therapy Consultants

Published

2020