J. Chris Coetzee, MD
Patrick B. Ebeling, MD
Osteochondral Defect (OCD) Rehabilitatio
n Protocol
This protocol provides you with general guidelines for initial stage and progression of
rehabilitation according to specified time frames, related tissue tolerance and directional
preference of movement. Specific changes in the program will be made by the
physician as appropriate for the individual patient.
****Please fax initial assessment and subsequent progress notes directly to
MOSMI at 952-944-0460.***
REMEMBER: It can take up to a year to make a full recovery, and it is not unusual to
have intermittent pains and aches during that time!
Phase I: Week 1-2
Goals
• Control pain and swelling
• ADL (activities of daily living)
Guidelines
• NWB(non weightbearing) in boot 3-5 days
• WB in boot as tolerated 3+ days
• Elevate to control swelling
• AROM hip and knee
• Sutures dissolved/removed @ 10 - 14days
• ADL
Phase II: Week 3-6
Goals
• Full ROM (range of motion)
• Normal gait
Guidelines
• Wean from boot as tolerated
• AROM (active range of motion) in all directions:
- NWB
- WB ROM as tolerated
• Massage for edema
• Strengthening
ankle
- theraband resisted training in all directions
- progress to WB exercises as tolerated
◦ toe raises
4010 West 65th Street, Edina, MN 55435
Phone: 952-944-2519 Fax: 952-944-0460 www.mosmi.org
4010 West 65th Street, Edina, MN 55435
Phone: 952-944-2519 Fax: 952-944-0460 www.mosmi.org
◦ inversion/eversion
on wobble board or fitter
hip - against resistance in standing
knee - wall sits, squats as tolerated
core - activate abdominals
- bridging
- standing: upper extremity diagonals
- use core when on wobble board
• Gait retraining
• Manual mobilization if required
*If micro fracture was done for an OCD • 4 weeks NWB
• Walker boot
Phase III: Week 6-10
Goals
• Full strength and endurance
• Good proprioception
Guidelines
• Proprioception retraining
• Dynamic training:
hopping
skipping
running
• Progress to plyometrics
Phase IV: Week 10 +
Goals
• Return to work +/or activity
Guidelines
• Full activity as tolerated
• Work or sport specific retraining
