Table 6 Detailed overview of the post-operative rehabilitation programs

Open PCL repair

 Heitmann et al

PWB for 6 weeks, brace limiting ROM to 0/90°

Week 6, brace no longer limits ROM

3 months, brace removed

NR

Stabilizing braces

 Hua et al

first week brace locked in 30°; isometric quadriceps exercises 1-day post-surgery; after 1 week passive ROM

After 4 weeks, non‑weight bearing activities and passive ROM exercises increasing flexion to 120°

3 months, closed chain exercises and hamstring co-contractions; 4–5 months, open-chain exercises, walking, PWB

6 months, progressive resistive exercises; 7 months, walking without crutches, FWB

Hinged knee brace

 Kohl et al

PWB (15 kg), brace limiting ROM to 90° 0–1 week, activation extensors; Week 3; flexors, ROM and proprioception exercises

Week 6, brace removed; progression to full active ROM and FWB

3 months, possible to start open chain exercises

NR

Hinged knee brace

 Owens et al

Day 1, passive ROM 0° to 30°; By day 10, reaching a passive ROM of 90°; Week 1–4, Quadriceps strengthening

Week 4, hamstring co-contraction; progressing ROM to 120° and non‑weight bearing using crutches until week 8; week 8–12 PWB using crutches

3 months, FWB without crutches and closed-chain exercises and hamstring co-contraction; 4 months, open-chain exercises

Unrestricted activities

Hinged knee brace

 Shirakura et al

first 4 weeks, toe-to-groin cast; isometric quadriceps exercises; week 3, weight bearing

Cast removal and start of isotonic and ROM exercises

NR

NR

Toe-to-groin cast

Arthroscopic PCL repair

 Hopper et al

First 2 weeks, FWB using crutches allowed; early ROM

NR

NR

NR

NR

 Otto et al

week 1–6, PWB up to 20 kg, passive mobilisation, brace limiting ROM to 90°

week 7, gradual progression to FWB, knee only during daytime

3 months, walking, cycling, swimming;

6 months, brace removed, jogging or sport specific exercises; 9–12 months, return to sport

Knee brace with posterior tibia support

 Vermeijden et al

Unspecified

 Wheatley et al

Unspecified