Quad / Patellar Tendon Repair — Extensor Mechanism Repair (Patella/Quad Tendon or Patella ORIF)

University of New Mexico (UNM) Sports Medicine · Will Curtis MD, Dustin Richter MD, Christopher Shultz MD, Gehron Treme MD…

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with brace locked in extension; progress to FWB as swelling and quad recruitment allow

Key Restrictions

Brace locked in extension Phase I; ROM and brace progression goals set by surgeon (typically 0-90 deg by ~week 6); brace D/C week surgeon-determined

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-2 wks): WBAT in brace locked in extension, quad sets/SLR, hip exercises; Phase II (2-6 wks): ROM 0-X deg increasing X/wk per surgeon, heel slides, step ups, CKC TKE, proprioception; Phase III (6-12 wks): D/C brace per surgeon, CKC, advanced quad/HS strengthening, core; Phase IV (3-6 months): running, sport-specific drills, agility

Notes

PT starts 2 weeks post-op, 1-2x/week for 12+ weeks; covers patella tendon repair, quad tendon repair, or patella ORIF; surgeon completes individual ROM and brace duration goals on protocol page 2; revised 2025

Surgeon / Author

Will Curtis MD, Dustin Richter MD, Christopher Shultz MD, Gehron Treme MD, Andrew Veitch MD

Published

2025