Rehabilitation

The goals of rehabilitation following a quadriceps tendon rupture are to decrease pain and to return the individual to full function with a painless, mobile knee. The duration of treatment is related to the functional mobility, healing response, and any complications.

The focus of rehabilitation is on restoring full range of motion, strength, proprioception, and endurance while maintaining independence in all activities of daily living. While the resumption of pre-injury status is the goal, the type of rupture (partial, complete) will affect the speed of rehabilitation. Protocols for rehabilitation must be guided by the treating physician and must consider the type of rupture and rupture management (operative, nonoperative).

In order to decrease pain, local cold application may be beneficial. To prevent complications of inactivity and bed rest, individuals should be encouraged to continue functional activities that do not compromise the status of the healing tendon.

The individual will need to wear a knee immobilizer brace for several weeks following rupture to support the knee in full extension while allowing tendons to heal. Physical therapists should instruct the individual in the use of assistive devices to promote independent ambulation. The individual should progress from walker to crutches to cane according to weight bearing status and ability. Therapists will instruct the individual in range of motion exercises of the adjacent joints unless contraindicated. After the knee immobilizer is removed, range of motion, strengthening, and proprioception exercises should be started at the knee joint according to physician recommendation. Exercise intensity and difficulty should be progressed until full function is evident. The treating physician will dictate the protocol for rehabilitation.

Tendons may heal within 8 to 12 weeks; however, full restoration of tendon strength and ability to sustain a heavy load may take up to 1 year. Once healing has occurred, the individual may resume full activities of daily living. It is important to instruct the individual not to overload the tendon until it has regained its full strength. The resumption of heavy work and sports should occur under the guidance of the treating physician.​ 

UW Guide for both Patella & Quad Tendon Protocol

Mass General - Quadriceps and Patella Tendon Rehabilitation Protocol