This document, authored by Jared T. Lee, MD, outlines a rehabilitation plan for patients following a Quadriceps Tendon Repair.
The document includes five phases of rehabilitation, each with specific:
- **Restrictions:** Limitations on activity and movements, such as no active range of motion, no quadriceps strengthening in early phases, and progressive weight-bearing restrictions.
- **Therapeutic Exercises:** Prescribed activities for each phase, focusing on passive range of motion (PROM), edema control, pain management, isometric quadriceps activation, core strengthening, hip and glute strengthening, straight leg raises, active and active-assisted range of motion, stationary biking, double-leg strengthening, aquatic therapy, deceleration, single-leg hopping, cutting, agility, and sport-specific activity.
- **Goals:** Objectives for each phase, such as reducing swelling and edema, minimizing pain, retarding muscle atrophy, protecting the surgical repair, restoring range of motion, progressing muscle activation and strengthening, improving gait mechanics, enhancing neuromuscular control, and improving proprioception.
- **Criteria for Discharge:** Specific metrics for discharge, including strength deficit (less than 10% in quadriceps and gluteals), limb similarity index (90% or greater on functional hop and Y balance tests), 45/50 on biomechanical functional assessment tests (if performed), and no pain or complaints of instability with functional progression of sport-specific skills.
The phases progress from initial post-operative care with limited range of motion and weight-bearing to full return to activity and sports, with increasing exercise intensity and functional demands.
