STAGE 1: 0-6 weeks
Restrictions:
To wear hinged knee brace locked in extension 24 hours a day for 6 weeks (Can unlock brace twice a day to do range of motion exercises)
Partial weight bearing
No active knee extension or dynamic quadriceps exercises (may do static quads)
Treatment:
Adequate analgesia
Swelling management
Teach ROM exercises aiming to get 0-90 (within limit of pain), active flexion, passive extension
Teach how to unlock and adjust brace
STAGE 2: 6-12 weeks
Treatment
Adequate Analgesia
Swelling management
Progress to independent FWB
Wean out of brace
ROM exercises: Progress to full ROM
Knee muscle strengthening exercises: May begin quads closed and open chain exercises
Core stability, gluteal control, balance proprioception
Gait re-education
STAGE 3: 12 weeks – 6months
Restrictions:
May return to jogging at 4 months once can balance on uneven surfaces
No return to sport
Treatment:
As stage 2 plus:
Jump training, agility training, plyometrics, single leg hop testing
Sport / occupational specific training
STAGE 4 : over 6 months
Graded return to sport if consultant agrees (based on X-ray findings)
