Hamstring graft rehabilitation requires no resisted knee flexion for how long?

Hamstring graft rehabilitation requires no resisted knee flexion for how long?

• A. 4 weeks
• B. 8 weeks
• C. 12 weeks
• D. 16 weeks

Answer: (C)

Protection of the hamstring graft during the early ACL rehab window is the key idea. In the initial healing phase the graft is vulnerable as it incorporates into bone tunnels and revascularizes, so it lacks full strength. Resisted knee flexion directly loads the hamstrings, which pull on the graft and increase strain at the graft-tunnel interface. To give the graft time to heal and reduce the risk of elongation or rupture, resisted knee flexion is avoided for about three months. During this period the focus is on safe range of motion and gradual strengthening of surrounding muscles, with hamstring loading reintroduced only as healing progresses. Shortening this window could raise the risk of graft overload, while extending it longer than necessary can unnecessarily delay recovery.

Protection of the hamstring graft during the early ACL rehab window is the key idea. In the initial healing phase the graft is vulnerable as it incorporates into bone tunnels and revascularizes, so it lacks full strength. Resisted knee flexion directly loads the hamstrings, which pull on the graft and increase strain at the graft-tunnel interface. To give the graft time to heal and reduce the risk of elongation or rupture, resisted knee flexion is avoided for about three months. During this period the focus is on safe range of motion and gradual strengthening of surrounding muscles, with hamstring loading reintroduced only as healing progresses. Shortening this window could raise the risk of graft overload, while extending it longer than necessary can unnecessarily delay recovery.