PCL Injury Treatment

What is a PCL Injury?

The Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) is one of the four main ligaments in the knee that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). It prevents the shin bone from moving too far backward in relation to the thigh bone. PCL injuries typically occur from direct impact to the front of the knee, such as a dashboard injury in a car accident or a fall onto a bent knee during sports. Unlike ACL tears, PCL injuries can sometimes heal with conservative treatment, though severe tears may require surgical reconstruction.

Advanced Diagnostic and Surgical Approaches

Dr. Abhishek Saxena utilizes comprehensive diagnostic protocols including specialized physical examination techniques, high-resolution MRI, and stress radiography to accurately assess PCL injuries. For surgical cases, we employ state-of-the-art arthroscopic and minimally invasive techniques to reconstruct the PCL with either autografts (using the patient's own tissue) or carefully selected allografts. Our surgical approach focuses on anatomic reconstruction with precision tunnel placement to restore normal knee biomechanics.

Types of PCL Injuries Treated

• Grade I: Partial PCL tear with minimal instability
• Grade II: Partial tear with increased posterior laxity
• Grade III: Complete PCL tear with significant instability
• Combined ligament injuries (PCL + ACL, MCL, or LCL)
• PCL avulsion fractures requiring fixation

Comprehensive Treatment Protocol

Our PCL injury treatment program includes:

• Detailed biomechanical assessment of knee stability
• Conservative management for appropriate cases with specialized bracing
• Advanced surgical reconstruction techniques for high-grade tears
• Customized rehabilitation protocols based on injury severity and treatment approach
• Progressive return-to-activity progression with functional testing
• Long-term knee health maintenance program

Recovery and Outcomes

Recovery from PCL reconstruction typically involves wearing a specialized brace for 4-6 weeks, with restricted weight-bearing initially. Physical therapy begins immediately with controlled range of motion exercises. Most patients can resume light activities by 3-4 months and return to sports between 6-9 months post-surgery, depending on the complexity of the injury and associated procedures. Our clinical outcomes data demonstrates that over 80% of patients achieve excellent knee function with significant improvement in stability and reduction in pain following PCL reconstruction.