Intermediate Knee Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

Knee ROM limited to 0-90° flexion with no passive knee flexion beyond 90°,Quadriceps contraction achieved with patellar mobilization,Weight-bearing as tolerated with ACL/PCL-specific bracing protocol,No active hamstring contraction for first 2 weeks (ACL graft protection),MCL/LCL healing phase - valgus/varus stress avoided,Meniscus repair - no knee flexion beyond 90° with weight-bearing

→ Advance to: Phase II

Knee ROM 0-100° flexion achieved,Full extension equal to contralateral knee,Patellar mobility improved with inferior/superior glide,Cartilage protection - no impact loading,MCL loading progressing with valgus constraint,Quadriceps activation score >3/5 on MMT

→ Advance to: Phase II

Knee ROM 0-110° flexion,Weight-bearing without assistive device if quad control adequate,Patellofemoral joint mobilization as tolerated,No posterior tibial translation on PCL stress test,Hamstring contraction initiated (PCL protection - avoid posterior drawer),Meniscus status confirmed for weight-bearing progression

→ Advance to: Phase II

Knee ROM 0-115° flexion minimum,Quadriceps index >50% (involved/uninvolved),Patella mobility full in all directions,No effusion or effusion <15ml,LCL protection - no varus stress beyond neutral,Cartilage loading guidelines followed for exercise selection

→ Advance to: Phase II

Knee ROM 0-125° flexion,Full knee extension achieved,Quadriceps index >60%,Patellofemoral kinematics normalized,MCL loading at 25-50% body weight,Hamstring strength >3+/5 MMT

→ Advance to: Phase III

Knee ROM 0-130° flexion,Single leg stance >30 seconds,Patellar tendon tolerance for loading exercises,Cartilage exercise progression - low impact only,No posterior tibial translation >5mm (PCL stability),LCL loading initiated with varus constraint

→ Advance to: Phase III

Knee ROM 0-135° flexion,Quadriceps index >70%,Gait pattern normalized without antalgic pattern,Meniscus loading progressing to deeper knee flexion,Patellofemoral joint angles <45° for loading,MCL functional loading at 75% body weight

→ Advance to: Phase III

Full knee ROM equal to contralateral side,Quadriceps index >75%,Single leg squat >45° knee flexion without valgus,No knee swelling 24 hours post-exercise,LCL loading at 50% body weight tolerance,Cartilage progression to moderate loading

→ Advance to: Phase III

Full ROM with quadriceps symmetry >80%,Knee flexion strength >70% bilateral,Patellofemoral loading tolerance for squat patterns,Meniscus loading at full depth if repair healing,Cartilage loading progressed to impact activities as tolerated,MCL/LCL loading at 100% body weight

→ Advance to: Phase IV

Quadriceps index >85%,Hamstring index >80%,Single leg hop for distance >80% contralateral,Patellar tendon loading capacity for running progression,No tibiofemoral instability on functional movements,Knee flexion on stair negotiation <70° ifpatella cartilage compromised

→ Advance to: Phase IV

Quadriceps index >90%,Single leg vertical hop >80% contralateral,Knee flexion >110° on landing tasks,Patellofemoral mechanics optimized on single leg tasks,Cartilage progression - running initiated if no symptoms,MCL/LCL stability confirmed on lateral movements

→ Advance to: Phase IV

Quadriceps index >95%,All hop tests >85% limb symmetry,Full sports-specific movement patterns,Patellofemoral joint tolerance for running and cutting,Meniscus full return to activity if healing confirmed,No knee instability on pivot shift test

→ Advance to: Phase IV

Quadriceps index 100%,Running at full speed without knee symptoms,Patellofemoral loading for jumping activities tolerated,Single leg landing stability confirmed,Cartilage loading for high-impact activities initiated,LCL/MCL stability on lateral cutting movements

→ Advance to: Phase IV

Sports-specific training progression,Knee proprioception on unstable surfaces,Patellar tracking optimized on cutting maneuvers,Tibiofemoral stability during deceleration,Meniscus full sports participation if cleared,No knee swelling with high-intensity activity

→ Advance to: Phase IV

Full practice participation,Quadriceps index >100%,Cutting and pivoting at full speed,Patellofemoral joint loading for contact sports,Cartilage loading for full return to sport,ACL/PCL stability on functional tests

→ Advance to: Return to Sport

Lysholm score >90,IKDC subjective knee score >90,Quadriceps index >100%,Single leg hop test >95% limb symmetry,No knee pain with full athletic activity,Clearance for full sports participation based on criteria

→ Advance to: Discharge