Scapholunate Ligament Reconstruction

University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery

Weight-Bearing

NWB surgical UE

Key Restrictions

No lifting/pushing/pulling; wrist in cast until week 6-8; no resistive strengthening, sustained gripping, WB, or distraction activities until after 12 weeks postop; orthosis continues for demanding/dynamic loading until 16 weeks postop

Timeline & Phases

Phase 1 (0-2 wks): thumb spica splint; Phase 2 (2-6 wks): short arm cast or thumb spica until week 6-8, dexterity tasks, thumb IP ROM; Phase 3 (6-12 wks): wrist neutral orthosis full time, wrist 4-way AROM from wk 6-8, forearm rotation, assisted ROM and light grip (<10 lbs) from wk 8-12, progressive ADLs from wk 12; orthosis continues for demanding activities until wk 16

Notes

More restrictive than Blatt's capsulodesis: wrist immobilized until week 6-8 vs. 6 for Blatt's; orthosis continues for demanding/dynamic loading until 16 weeks (vs. 12 for Blatt's); light grip <10 lbs from week 8-12; no heavy loading until >12 weeks minimum

Published

09/2024