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

University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery

Weight-Bearing

FWB with brace locked at 0° using crutches for 4 weeks; wean crutches after 6 weeks

Key Restrictions

Brace locked 0° for first 4 weeks (lock to 90° when sitting); no active knee ROM; no active knee extension against gravity; no ambulation without brace for first 6 weeks; heel slides limited to 0-60° weeks 2-4, 0-90° weeks 4-6; avoid deep flexion (squats/lunges) through Phase 3

Timeline & Phases

Phase 1 (0-2 wks): brace locked 0°, no active knee ROM, passive flexion <30°, quad sets, gentle patellar mobilization (medial/lateral only), SLR; Phase 2 (2-6 wks): brace locked 0° still, limit flexion 90°, aqua therapy, CKC, heel slides 0-60° then 0-90°; Phase 3 (6-12 wks): wean crutches/brace, stationary bike, leg press bilateral, wall squats, step-ups/downs, hamstring curls; Phase 4 (12-16 wks): FWB without brace, full ROM, jogging initiation on treadmill, lateral movements; Strength goal: 85-95% of uninvolved leg (isokinetic testing)

Notes

Brace locked 0° for first 4 weeks including sleeping; no active knee extension against gravity; lock brace to 90° when sitting; wean crutches after 6 weeks; no jogging until Phase 4 (12+ weeks); strength goal 85-95% uninvolved leg; covers both quad tendon and patellar tendon repairs

Published

12/2024