Table 2.

Rehabilitation Protocol for National Hockey League Player

Phase 1: Wk 1–12	Phase 2: Wk 12–24	Phase 3: Wk 24–30	Phase 4: Wk 30–40
• Protected weight bearing • Prone knee flexion• Heel slides • Seated knee extension (active and passive range of motion) at 4 wk with goal of 90° at 1 mo • Exercise bike• Straight-leg raises• Pool exercises at 2 wk, 2–3×/wk• Standing transfers at 3 wk; weight bearing as tolerated with crutches at 4 wk• Transitioned to 1 crutch at wk 8–12; transition to no crutches at wk 12	• Weight bearing as tolerated• Walking and gait exercises• Minisquats and squats• Calf raises• Bridges• Lunges• Supine plank hold• Lateral step-outs• Pelvic raises	• Endurance• Jogging in pool (HydroWorx, Middletown, PA)• Endurance biking• Skating• Pool running• Elliptical• 2-Legged lifting exercises• Resistance walking• Balance and proprioception• Jumping rope	• On-ice drills• Conditioning• Cone drills• Explosion and acceleration• Lateral-movement drills• Pursuit drills• Sprint drills• Hurdle and ladder drills• Sled pushes• Power-skating drills• Gradual progression to contact drills• Checking• Return to play