What does recovery look like after MPFL reconstruction surgery?

MPFL reconstruction gives the kneecap a new ligament, made from donor tendon, that holds it in place when it is about to slip. The recovery is easier than an ACL reconstruction: you walk on the leg from day one with the brace locked straight, the brace comes off at about six weeks, running starts at about four months, and cutting and pivoting sports come back at about six months once the quad is strong. The roadmap below walks through each stage. If you have already had surgery, enter your surgery date and it will show you which stage you are in and what comes next.

The roadmap covers MPFL reconstruction alone and MPFL reconstruction with a tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO), which is more protected for the first six weeks and runs longer overall. It also answers the practical questions: the brace, crutches, sleeping, showering, driving, school and work, and when you can run and play again.