Tendon Transfer Rehabilitation Protocols
12 Tendon Transfer rehabilitation protocols from 8 institutions, published 2007–2025. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.
Compare by institution
| Institution | Weight-Bearing | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… | NWB x 4-6 weeks (long leg cast, knee flexed ~20 deg); CPM option (2-4 hr intervals, 6-8… | No forceful/resisted quad contraction x 6 weeks; no impact x 6 weeks; expect 12-15% quad strength reduction… |
| Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… | NWB x 3 weeks; partial WB weeks 3-6 per MD; CPM option; healing 6-8 weeks | No forceful/resistive quad contraction x 6 weeks; no impact x 6 weeks; no knee flexion beyond 90 deg x 3… |
| Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… | NWB x 3 weeks in short leg cast; WBAT weeks 3-6 in cast; cast x 6 weeks total; healing… | Avoid forceful plantarflexion; avoid forceful/resisted muscle contraction; no impact activities; 6 weeks in… |
| Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis… | NWB x 3 weeks in short leg cast; WBAT weeks 3-6 in cast; cast x 6 weeks total | Avoid forceful inversion; avoid forceful/resisted muscle contraction; no impact activities; 6 weeks in short… |
| Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery) — Lower… | N/A | No shoulder ROM for first 8 weeks; immobilized in maximum ER for 6 weeks; no pendulums or Codmans in Phase I… |
| Lahey Hospital & Medical Center — Latissimus Dorsi Tendon… | N/A | Abduction + ER shoulder immobilizer at all times until 6 wks; no passive IR/adduction/extension; no over-door… |
| Massachusetts General Hospital — Anterior Latissimus Dorsi… | Full immobilization Phase I (0-8 wks); no formal PT Phase I; progressive UE use Phase II+ | No formal PT Phase I (0-8 wks); AAROM only Phase II (8-16 wks); NO ER beyond 0 degrees Phase II; no PROM (do… |
| NYU Langone Health — Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer | N/A | ER sling 0-6 wks; no active or active-assisted exercises until cleared by surgeon (includes pulleys, wand… |
| University of Colorado Anschutz (CU) — Lower Trapezius Tendon… | — | Gunslinger brace worn except during exercises x 8 wks; no active or active-assistive ROM until cleared by… |
| University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery — Rotator Cuff… | NWB surgical UE | Sling at all times 0-6 weeks; no AROM of shoulder for first 6 weeks; no pendulum exercises weeks 1-4; PROM… |
| UW Health Orthopedic Surgery; UnityPoint Health - Meriter… | NWB surgical UE | No AROM/functional use of thumb early; no lifting >2 lbs; orthosis full time; IPJ extensor lag = halt… |
| UW Health Orthopedic Surgery; UnityPoint Health - Meriter… | NWB surgical UE | No AROM/functional use of thumb early; no lifting >2 lbs; orthosis full time; IPJ extensor lag = halt… |
All 12 Tendon Transfer protocols
Tendon Transfer — Rectus Femoris Transfer to Medial Hamstrings
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
Tendon Transfer — Rectus Femoris Transfer with Distal Femoral Extension Osteotomy
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
Tendon Transfer — Split Anterior Tibial Tendon Transfer to Cuboid
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
Tendon Transfer — Split Posterior Tibialis Tendon Transfer to Peroneus Brevis
Children's Colorado / Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA)
Tendon Transfer — Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer
Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)
Tendon Transfer — Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
Tendon Transfer — Anterior Latissimus Dorsi Transfer
Massachusetts General Hospital
Tendon Transfer — Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer
NYU Langone Health
Tendon Transfer — Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer
University of Colorado Anschutz (CU)
Tendon Transfer — Rotator Cuff Repair with Pectoralis Major Tendon Transfer (Open)
University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery
Tendon Transfer — Thumb EPL Tendon Transfer — Early Active Motion
UW Health Orthopedic Surgery; UnityPoint Health - Meriter Rehabilitation
Tendon Transfer — Thumb EPL Tendon Transfer — Conservative
UW Health Orthopedic Surgery; UnityPoint Health - Meriter Rehabilitation