MPFL repair / OCD repair (or excision)
Post-operative instructions following medial patello-femoral ligament repair or osteochondral defect repair / excision.
Typical timeframe: Return to sport from ~5 – 6 months
Take it with you
Download the practice's own guide for mpfl repair / ocd repair (or excision) to print, save to your phone or share with your physiotherapist.
Word document, 343 KB
Phase 01 · Weeks 0 – 6
Phase I – Protected recovery
- Reduce pain and swelling; begin muscle control rehabilitation.
- Control by simple pain killers (Panadeine, Panadol), non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and cold therapy (3 to 4 times daily for 20 minutes and after physiotherapy).
- Touch weight bearing only with crutches.
- Quadricep setting in particular VMO, and calf squeezes.
- ROM 0° to 30° – 60° – 90° incrementally increasing every 2 weeks; brace when walking, but can rest knee flexed over a pillow when at home.
- Brace at night for at least 2 weeks thereafter for comfort.
Phase 02 · Weeks 6 – 12
Phase II – Range and gait
- Remove brace.
- Attain full ROM.
- Active quads through range.
- Focus on hamstrings, hip abductors and core strengthening as well.
- Begin static 1/3 squat and increase proprioception control, progressing to single stance and dynamic quads to half squat.
- Begin gait re-education.
- May walk in pool and do laps with straight kicking (no breast stroke). Straight-kick laps and walking; begin jogging in the pool.
- Begin static bike machine at week 6. No resistance initially.
- Discard crutches; use brace until good quadriceps control is achieved.
Phase 03 · Weeks 12 – 20
Phase III – Progressive loading
- Begin lunges. Shift weight bearing from one foot to the other.
- Begin mini trampoline and progress to wobble board.
- Then begin ordinary bike (flat ground riding, no hills).
- Return to sports as quad control and power return to normal.
Last reviewed: 2025-10-15.
Related rehabilitation protocols
All rehab protocolsKnee · Ligament reconstruction
ACL reconstruction (standard)
Phased post-operative rehabilitation following standard anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, from early weight-bearing to staged return to sport.
Read more →Knee · Arthroscopy
Standard knee arthroscopy
Recovery instructions and exercises after a standard knee arthroscopy through small stab incisions.
Read more →Knee · Patellar realignment
Tibial tuberosity transfer
Phased rehabilitation after tibial tuberosity transfer, with bracing, progressive range of motion and a staged return to sport.
Read more →
Have questions about your recovery?
Every patient is different. If you would like a tailored plan or need to clarify any of these instructions, book an appointment with the East Coast Orthopaedic Physiotherapy team.
General guide only. These resources are intended as a general guide. Please follow the instructions of your treating surgeon and physiotherapist — your individual recovery plan may differ.