Clinical Reference Only: Protocols are cataloged from third-party sources and provided for reference only. Treating clinicians must verify current accuracy and follow the operative report and surgeon's specific instructions.

Soft Tissue Lengthening Rehabilitation Protocols

8 Soft Tissue Lengthening rehabilitation protocols from 1 institution, published 2007. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.

Compare by institution

InstitutionWeight-BearingKey Restrictions
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… WBAT with wide stance in long leg casts x 3 weeks; no scissoring Avoid active/forceful adduction and flexion x 3 weeks; no impact x 3 weeks; abduction pillow or long leg…
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… WBAT per MD; long leg or cylinder cast knee extended x 4-6 weeks; knee immobilizers at… No forceful/resisted hamstring contraction x 6 weeks; no impact x 6 weeks; possible painful dysesthesia…
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… Protected WB per MD x 3-4 weeks; long leg or cylinder cast with knee extended; WBAT per… No forceful/resisted hamstring contraction x 6 weeks; no impact x 6 weeks; possible post-op dysesthesia…
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… WBAT immediately; majority of time in prone x 3 weeks Avoid active/forceful hip flexion x 3 weeks; no impact x 3 weeks; no prolonged sitting (allows hip flexors to…
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… WBAT immediately; majority of time prone x 3 weeks; healing ~3 weeks Avoid active/forceful hip flexion x 3 weeks; no impact x 3 weeks; no prolonged sitting; prone positioning…
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… WBAT in short leg cast x 6 weeks; healing ~6 weeks Avoid forceful inversion/eversion; avoid forceful/resisted muscle contraction; no impact until ~6-8 weeks; 6…
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… WBAT in short leg cast x 3-6 weeks; healing ~6 weeks Avoid forceful/resisted muscle contraction; no impact until ~6-8 weeks; prevent post-op tissue tightening…
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… WBAT in short leg cast x 3 weeks; healing ~6 weeks Avoid forceful dorsiflexion; avoid forceful/resisted muscle contraction; no impact until 6-8 weeks

All 8 Soft Tissue Lengthening protocols

Soft Tissue Lengthening — Adductor Tendon Lengthening (Percutaneous)
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado · October 2007
Soft Tissue Lengthening — Hamstring Lengthening (Percutaneous)
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado · October 2007
Soft Tissue Lengthening — Hamstring Lengthening (Open Z-Plasty and Fractional)
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado · October 2007
Soft Tissue Lengthening — Iliopsoas Lengthening (Intramuscular at Pelvic Brim)
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado · October 2007
Soft Tissue Lengthening — Intramuscular Rectus Femoris Lengthening (at AIIS)
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado · October 2007
Soft Tissue Lengthening — Peroneus Brevis Fractional Intramuscular Lengthening
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado · October 2007
Soft Tissue Lengthening — Strayer/Volpius Gastrocnemius-Soleus Intramuscular Lengthening
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado · October 2007
Soft Tissue Lengthening — Tendo-Achilles Lengthening (TAL) Percutaneous
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado · October 2007

Related Hip topics

Core Muscle Repair Fracture Gluteus Medius Repair Hip Arthroscopy Hip Arthroscopy & Labral Repair Periacetabular Osteotomy Proximal Hamstring Repair