Soft Tissue Lengthening — Hamstring Lengthening (Percutaneous)

Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA) · CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado

Weight-Bearing

WBAT per MD; long leg or cylinder cast knee extended x 4-6 weeks; knee immobilizers at night after cast removal

Key Restrictions

No forceful/resisted hamstring contraction x 6 weeks; no impact x 6 weeks; possible painful dysesthesia calf/foot lasting months (contact MD if limiting rehab)

Timeline & Phases

Phase 1 (days 1-7): 10 min sustained long sitting every hour, isometrics, ankle AROM; Phase 2 (days 8-21): sub-maximal isometric hamstring, SLR; Phase 3 (day 22+): scar mobility, knee extension in gait/terminal stance, anti-crouch/upright posture, hamstring flexibility, knee ROM, total LE strengthening

Notes

Pediatric; indication is hamstring contracture and crouch gait; percutaneous cuts at gracilis/semitendinosus/biceps femoris insertion and tendinous portion of semimembranosus; Children's Colorado CGMA

Surgeon / Author

CGMA Physical Therapy Team, Children's Colorado

Published

October 2007