Weeks 1 to 2:  Protective Phase

• Brace:  Immobilized
• Weight Bearing:  Non weight bearing
• ROM Goals:
  • Extension:  Full
  • Flexion:  90 degrees
• Therapeutic Exercises:
  • Strengthening:  Quad sets, four-way straight leg raises
  • Proprioception:  Weight shifting
  • Conditioning:  UBE
• Manual Therapy:  Patellar mobilization
• Cryotherapy:  Six to eight times a day for 20 minutes

Weeks 3 to 4: Motion Phase

• Brace:  Immobilized
• Weight Bearing:  Partial weight bearing
• ROM Goals:
  • Extension:  Full
  • Flexion:  90 degrees
• Therapeutic Exercises:
  • Strengthening:  Quad sets, four-way straight leg raises
  • Proprioception:  Weight shifting
  • Conditioning:  Stationary bike, less than 15 minutes
• Manual Therapy:  Patella and joint mobilization, passive knee flexion to 90 degrees, peri-patellar soft tissue mobilization.

Weeks 5 to 6:  Strengthening Phase

• Brace:  Off
• Weight Bearing:  Progress to full weight bearing
• ROM Goals:
  • Extension:  Full
  • Flexion:  120 degrees
• Therapeutic Exercises:
  • Strengthening:  Closed chain, ½ squats, step-downs, etc.
  • Proprioception:  Weight shifting, Balance activities
  • Conditioning: UBE, Stationary bike
• Manual Therapy:  Patella and joint mobilization, passive knee flexion to 120 degrees, peri-patellar soft tissue mobilization.

Weeks 7 to 8:  Advanced Strengthening Phase

• Therapeutic Exercises:
  • Strengthening:  Closed chain, Multi plane single leg, Hamstrings
  • Proprioception:  Weight shifting, Single leg balance activities
  • Conditioning: UBE, Stationary bike
• Manual Therapy:  Patella and joint mobilization.

Week 9, Month 4:  Conditioning Phase

• Therapeutic Exercises:
  • Strengthening:  Closed chain, Multi plane single leg, Hamstrings
  • Proprioception:  Weight shifting, Excursion testing, Balance Activities
  • Conditioning: UBE, Stationary bike, Stair climber, Elliptical machine, Ski machine

Month 5:  Return to Sport and Function Phase

• Therapeutic Exercises:
  • Conditioning:  Running straight

Month 6:

• Therapeutic Exercises:
  • Conditioning:  Cutting

Note:  Return to sport based on provider team input and appropriate testing.

All times and exercises are to serve as guidelines.  Actual progress may be faster or slower, depending on each individual patient, as agreed upon by the patient and his/her team of providers.