Knee Tendon Repair Intermediate Program

Knee Tendon Repair Intermediate Program — Program Overview

This 15-week program is for people recovering from knee tendon repair surgery who have completed early protection and are ready for a structured, supervised intermediate phase. The goal is to gradually restore knee motion, strength, balance, and confidence in daily activities and, where appropriate, sport, using foam rollers, a rower, and TRX systems alongside clinical modalities such as CPM, electrical stimulation, patellar mobilization, and blood flow restriction training.

Before You Start

Always begin this program under the guidance of your surgeon and physical therapist, and follow any brace or weight-bearing rules you have been given. Do not start if you have an active infection, and do not push through increasing pain, new swelling, or a hot, red, or draining wound. Stop and call your clinician if pain keeps rising, your knee suddenly gives way, you lose range of motion, or you notice signs of infection such as fever or wound changes.

Weekly Structure

You will train three sessions per week for 30 minutes across 15 weeks, moving through four phases: protection and pain control, early range of motion, progressive strengthening, and advanced strengthening. Each phase introduces more movement and load as you meet your clinician's checkpoints. Equipment includes a foam roller for soft-tissue work, a rower for controlled conditioning, and TRX straps for supported strength and balance work.

What a Typical Session Looks Like

Start with a gentle warm-up such as light foam rolling away from the incision and supported range-of-motion drills. The main work combines your clinician-directed modalities, TRX-supported strength exercises, balance practice, and rower intervals as tolerated, keeping your spine neutral and avoiding sudden knee overload. Cool down with easy stretching and calm breathing, and note how your knee responded so your therapist can adjust the next session.

Tracking Progress

Your therapist uses the phase checkpoints—such as swelling, pain, range of motion, strength, and balance—to decide when you are ready to advance, rather than following the calendar alone. Outcome measures including the IKDC, Lysholm, Tegner, KOOS, Single Leg Hop Test, and Quadriceps Index are repeated at set intervals to show change over time and guide safe progression.

Recovery and Self-Care

Expect some soreness after new exercises, but pain should settle with rest and should not steadily climb. Follow your clinician's guidance on icing, elevation, and activity pacing, keep the incision clean, and avoid heavy loading or twisting early on. Seek urgent care for signs of infection, chest pain, calf pain or swelling, or a knee that becomes hot, locked, or unable to bear weight.