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My Recovery Directions


Recovery Timeline


Weeks 1 and 2: Half weight bearing on crutches with leg straight in brace. 

Week 3: Full weight bearing with leg straight in brace. Use crutches as needed. Start Physical Therapy. 

Week 4: Leg can bend 30 degrees in brace while walking. 

Week 5: Leg can bend 60 degrees in brace while walking. 

Week 6: Leg can bend 90 degrees in brace while walking. 


Those were the directions my doctor gave me at my post-op visit one week after my surgery. My physical therapy is supposed to last for at least 8 weeks. I go in for my second post-op visit at the end of week 5, so I assume I will get more directions then! 

Having read several MPFL reconstruction blogs, I have seen various directions that doctor's have given their patients. I've read about some patients being told to keep their leg straight for 6 weeks. Some have been told to begin bending their leg immediately after surgery using a ROM machine (I was told I wouldn't need one). Some have been told to start walking the day after surgery or be on crutches for a lot longer than I was. I find it very interesting how different these recovery directions can be! I know every person is different in how they recover; I am praying the method my doctor is using will work for me! 

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