A therapeutic protocol for this type of injury may require the patient to have two treatment sessions a week for at least the first 6 to 8 months of his rehabilitation.
Objectives may include:
Week 1
- Immobilization with a brace
- 10-20 degrees PROM
Weeks 2-4
- Adjustable brace
- 0-45 degrees PROM
- May use stationary bicycle
- May begin flexion exercises in water
Weeks 4-6
- Up to 90 degrees PROM
- AAROM exercises
- Manually with therapist
- Self AAROM
- Wall slides (Gravity assisted)
Month 2
- Neoprene sleeve may be worn for compression and warmth
- 120 degrees PROM
- Continue strengthening with AROM exercises
Month 3
- 135 degrees PROM
- Progressive resistive exercises
- Flexibility exercises to regain full AROM
- Patient may jog in water
Month 4
- Full AROM
- 4/5 MMT
- Walking, no jogging
- Functional exercises
Month 6
- If patient is 5/5 MMT , then he may begin to jog
- Continue with functional and dynamic training
Month 12
Patient can resume normal activities