Quadriceps Tendon Repair: Your Journey from Preparation to Full Recovery
Stop NSAIDs, aspirin, herbal supplements and vitamin supplements 7 days before surgery; notify the surgeon about any blood thinners; stop smoking 6 weeks before surgery.
Do not eat or drink after midnight; shower and wash the operative leg with regular soap; avoid shaving or waxing the knee; remove nail polish; avoid lotions or perfumes.
On the day of surgery, shower and wash the surgical leg, wear loose clothing, take only approved medications with a sip of water, and arrive early with identification and imaging.
A long hinged knee brace locked in full extension is worn day and night; use crutches and keep weight off the surgical leg until the first post‑operative visit; maintain dressings clean and dry; elevate the leg on pillows and apply ice to reduce swelling; begin home exercises such as quad sets and heel pumps; physical therapy usually begins within 2 weeks; avoid driving while taking narcotics or if the right knee is braced.
Immediately after surgery, weight bearing is limited to partial or as tolerated with the brace locked straight and crutches; after the first post‑operative visit (around day 10–14) you may gradually put more weight on the leg but continue to use the brace and crutches; full weight bearing with brace locked is expected by about 6 weeks; wean off crutches and brace between 6 and 12 weeks; the brace is discontinued after 12 weeks when full weight bearing and knee control are regained.
Keep the brace locked at 0° and use crutches; avoid active knee motion and limit passive flexion; keep surgical dressings clean and dry and avoid submerging the incision; start gentle quad sets and heel pumps as instructed; plan to begin physical therapy within the first 1–3 day.
First follow‑up visit at 10–14 days for wound check and suture removal; brace and weight‑bearing adjustments are discussed; second visit at 6 weeks to unlock brace and begin weaning from crutches; subsequent visits at 12 weeks and around 4–6 months to monitor progress and clearance for higher‑level activities.
Between 6 and 12 weeks, you will wean from the brace and crutches, progress to full range of motion and normal gait, and begin stationary bike, leg presses and light strengthening exercises; avoid deep knee bends or squats until cleared; by 12–16 weeks you can jog, perform lateral movements, and continue strengthening.
Transitional phase at 4–6 months focuses on restoring quadriceps strength and dynamic balance with return‑to‑run programs; progressive return to sport occurs between 6 and 8 months; full recovery with return to strenuous activities often takes 6–12 months.