Quad / Patellar Tendon Repair — Quadriceps / Patella Tendon Repair

University Orthopedics (Brown University) · Sports Medicine Division (affiliated with Brown Alpert Medical School)

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with crutches and brace locked in extension; D/C crutches when gait normal

Key Restrictions

Brace locked in extension for ambulation and sleep; no active knee extension Phase I; PROM flex: ≤60 deg Phase I (0-2 wks); no lifting with operative LE; TED hose until swelling resolved

Timeline & Phases

4 phases: Phase I (0-2 wks, brace locked ext, WBAT, PROM ≤60 deg, quad sets with ESTIM, SLR x 4, heel slides), Phase II (~2-6 wks, progress flex to 90 deg, AAROM/AROM, stationary bike), Phase III (~6-10 wks, progressive strengthening, proprioception), Phase IV (~10-16 wks, agility/plyometrics, running progression, return to sport)

Notes

Brown University affiliated; TED hose for DVT prevention; ESTIM for quad activation if difficulty initiating contraction; similar structure to their knee arthroscopy protocol

Surgeon / Author

Sports Medicine Division (affiliated with Brown Alpert Medical School)