Table 1.

Rehabilitation Protocol for Post‐Operative Leg Fractures

PHASE	ACUTE	SUBACUTE	CHRONIC	FUNCTIONAL
Goals	Protect surgery Control inflammatory response Control pain, edema, spasm	Full AROM 5/5 MMT Normalized gait SLS ≥ 30 seconds	Pain‐free jogging Return to modified soccer specific activities Progression to plyometrics	Return to sport
Weight‐bearing	WBAT	FWB
External Support	Axillary crutches Wrapping	Aircast Ankle lace‐up	Taping or bracing PRN	PRN
ROM	PROM → AAROM → AROM	Static stretching PNF stretching	PNF stretching Ballistic stretching Self‐stretching	Ballistic stretching Self‐stretching
Strengthening	Isometrics	Isotonics OKC Ankle Foot Hip Knee CKC Leg Press Squats Lunges	Isotonics Olympic lifts OKC Ankle Foot Hip Knee CKC Leg Press Squats Lunges	Olympic lifts Soccer program
PBA		SLS Tilt board	Soccer‐specific ball drills Plyometrics	Plyometrics
Complimentary	Hip/ knee isotonic strengthening Upper body ergometry	Core strengthening Stationary cycling Elliptical	Treadmill Stair climber Jogging → Running	Soccer conditioning
Modalities	Ice HVGS Effleurage	Scar massage Contrast baths	PRN	PRN

AROM= Active range of motion; MMT= Manual muscle test;SLS= single limb stance; WBAT= weight bearing as tolerated; FWB= full weight bearing; PROM= passive range of motion; AAROM= active assisted range of motion; PNF= proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; OKC= open kinetic chain; CKC= closed kinetic chain; HVGS= high voltage galvanic stimulation.