Non- Vs Partial Controlled Weightbearing After Multiple Knee Ligament Reconstruction

Patients will be randomly assigned to one of two rehabilitation protocols for the first six weeks post-surgery:

• non-weightbearing
• partial weightbearing

An immobilizer brace in extension will be used from post-operative day 0 through 4 and a dynamic stabilizing posterior knee brace (Ossur) will be used from 5 days through 6 months post-surgery to protect against increased posterior translation forces due to gravity and while weightbearing for patients with PCL reconstructions.

Specific Aims

• Primary Aim: To determine if there is clinical equivalence in millimeters of posterior tibial translation on posterior stress radiographs at six months post-surgery between patients who are non-weightbearing versus partial controlled weightbearing during the first six weeks of post-surgical rehabilitation.
• Primary Aim: To determine if there is clinical equivalence in millimeters of valgus and/or varus compartment gapping on stress radiographs at six months post-surgery between patients who are non-weightbearing versus partial controlled weightbearing during the first six weeks of post-surgical rehabilitation.
• Secondary Aim: To determine if there is a difference in pain, edema, range of motion, gait, and quadriceps strength between groups.

The current standard of care for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and multiligament reconstruction is non-weightbearing for the first six weeks after surgery.

Inclusion criteria

• ≥ 14 years old, <60
• Reconstruction of PCL alone
• Reconstruction of MCL alone
• Reconstruction of combined multiligament injuries (PCL+ (FCL, PLC, ACL, MCL))
• Reconstruction of multiligament injuries (ACL+MCL)
• Males or females
• Is willing and able to comply with the clinical trial plan and able to understand and sign the Patient Informed Consent Form.

Exclusion criteria

• < 14 years old
• >60 years old
• Pregnant
• Revision PCL reconstructions
• Previous or concurrent vascular injury (vascular bypass procedure)
• Associated fractures requiring concurrent surgery
• Concurrent meniscal root or radial repair surgery