Rehabilitation protocol
MPFL Reconstruction Rehabilitation Protocol
The current rehabilitation protocol after an isolated MPFL reconstruction. Your surgeon and physical therapist will tailor it to you — always follow the individualized plan they give you, and use only the protocol your surgical team selected.
Who this protocol is for
Applies to isolated MPFL reconstruction. When MPFL reconstruction is combined with a tibial tubercle osteotomy, the more protective restrictions govern and the surgeon selects the combined plan. Distalization, cartilage procedures, ligament procedures, a revision, or other concurrent procedures may require a different plan. The operative note and surgeon-selected protocol take precedence, and patients should use only the protocol identified by their surgical team.
What this protocol covers
- Rehabilitation after an isolated MPFL reconstruction.
- When MPFL reconstruction is combined with a tibial tubercle osteotomy, the more protective restrictions govern — your surgeon selects the combined plan.
- Distalization, cartilage procedures, ligament procedures, a revision, or other concurrent procedures may follow a different plan.
- Your surgical team selects the protocol — use only the one you are given, and follow your operative note and surgeon's instructions.
If you had a combined or different procedure
This protocol applies to isolated MPFL reconstruction. When MPFL reconstruction is combined with a tibial tubercle osteotomy, the more protective restrictions govern and your surgeon selects the combined plan. Distalization, cartilage procedures, ligament procedures, a revision, or other concurrent procedures may require a different plan. Your operative note and the protocol your surgeon selected always take precedence — follow the individualized instructions your surgical team gives you.
How rehabilitation is generally structured
Rehabilitation after this procedure is usually organized into progressive phases. The phases below describe the general shape only — specific exercises, precautions, and timelines are individual and are set by your surgeon and physical therapist.
Period of protection
The earliest period after surgery, focused on protecting the healing graft, controlling pain and swelling, restoring full knee extension and quadriceps activation, and protected motion within the limits your surgeon sets.
Transitional phase / building strength
Progressively restoring full, symmetrical motion and normalizing walking, and beginning closed-chain strengthening, balance, and proprioception as the knee tolerates more.
Intermediate phase / progressive loading
Advancing strengthening and single-leg control, with a running program introduced when criteria are met and the surgeon clears it.
Return to activity
A criteria-based progression toward sport-specific activity. After an isolated MPFL reconstruction, return to full sport is commonly considered around 4–6 months when objective recovery criteria are met and the physician clears the patient — this is a general expectation, not a guarantee, and it applies to isolated MPFL reconstruction rather than to combined MPFL and TTO procedures, which follow the surgeon-selected combined plan.
This overview describes the general structure of rehabilitation only. It does not replace the specific instructions of your own surgeon and physical therapist, whose guidance always takes precedence. Timelines and precautions are individual and are set for you at your appointments. Use only the protocol your surgical team selected for you.