Alex T., 28
ACL Reconstruction + Meniscus Repair - Return to Soccer
8-month program
Before
- Complete ACL tear + partial lateral meniscus tear during a recreational soccer match.
- Underwent ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft + meniscus repair.
- Pre-PT quad strength deficit of 42% limb symmetry index (LSI) on affected side.
- Pain 6/10 at rest, 9/10 with stairs. Unable to bear full weight without crutches.
- Surgeon protocol: return to sport no earlier than 9 months.
After
- LSI achieved 97% at 8 months - above the 90% threshold for return-to-sport clearance.
- Returned to recreational soccer at 8 months with surgeon and PT sign-off.
- Post-discharge strength and movement screen showed better neuromuscular control than pre-injury baseline.
- No re-injury events at 6-month follow-up.
Treatment Protocol
- Phase 1 (weeks 1–8): Swelling management, quad activation, weight-bearing progression, PROM restoration. 2x/week sessions.
- Phase 2 (weeks 9–20): Quad and hamstring strengthening, closed-chain exercises, proprioception training, jogging protocol initiated at week 16.
- Phase 3 (weeks 21–32): Cutting, agility, deceleration training. LSI testing every 4 weeks. Return-to-sport criteria battery at week 32.
“I was told 9–12 months before I could play again. Momentum had me back in 8 with test scores better than before I got hurt. The phase-based approach meant I always knew where I was in the process and what the next milestone was.”
Alex T., 28
Dorothy C., 68
Total Knee Replacement - Bilateral, Staged
Two 12-week programs, 6 months apart
Before
- Bilateral end-stage knee osteoarthritis. Right knee replaced first.
- Post-op day 1 flexion: 82°. Extension deficit of 8°.
- Pain: 7/10 with transfers. Unable to climb stairs independently.
- Previous PT experience (different provider): terminated after 8 sessions due to slow progress and poor communication.
- Goals: independent community ambulation, return to water aerobics class.
After
- Right knee ROM: 130° flexion, full extension (0°) at 12-week discharge.
- Stair independence: achieved week 6.
- Water aerobics: returned at week 14.
- Left knee program was shorter (10 weeks) because Dorothy arrived better conditioned.
- Quote from surgeon: 'Best post-TKR range of motion I've seen at the 3-month mark in my last two years of practice.'
Treatment Protocol
- Weeks 1–4: Scar tissue management, active-assisted ROM, gentle quad sets, short-arc quads, step-ups. 2x/week. Clear patient education at every session about what we were doing and why.
- Weeks 5–8: Progressive strengthening, stair training, balance work. Functional mobility assessment at week 6 showed stair independence achieved.
- Weeks 9–12: Discharge planning, home exercise program, water aerobics graduated return-to-activity plan.
- Left knee program completed 6 months later with modified program based on lessons from right knee recovery.
“My first PT experience was discouraging - I felt like a number. At Momentum, Dr. Nair sat down and explained my X-rays, what the surgery had done, and why each exercise mattered. I actually looked forward to coming in. That made all the difference.”
Dorothy C., 68