What To Expect After PCL Surgery?

After the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction surgery, rehabilitation is a crucial part of the recovery journey. Rehabilitation and physical therapy are advised for 6 to 12 months before returning to competitive sports or unrestricted activity. However, recovery varies from person to person and consists of different phases with particular time frames.

Effective rehabilitation is important for:

• Optimal healing of the graft
• Restoring knee stability, range of motion, and function.
• Reducing the risk of re-injury

PCL reconstruction is recommended for grade III (complete tear and loosening of PCL without involving other knee structures)  and grade IV (complete PCL tear involving other knee structures) PCL injuries.

Read on to learn more about PCL reconstruction surgery and what to expect after the surgery.

What is PCL surgery?

PCL reconstruction surgery involves the removal of the torn or damaged remnants of the PCL and their replacement with a graft tendon. The graft is extracted either from your own body (autograft), or from a donor (allograft). Injuries to the PCL typically occur due to a sudden and direct impact to the front of the knee, such as during a car accident or sports injury. PCL injuries can cause pain, swelling, instability, and difficulty with movement and weight-bearing.

PCL surgery is usually recommended when conservative treatments, such as rest, physical therapy, or bracing, have failed to improve symptoms or if there is a significant tear or rupture of the ligament. PCL surgery aims to restore stability to the knee joint by repairing or reconstructing the damaged PCL.

What to Expect After PCL Surgery?

PCL reconstruction surgery is usually minimally invasive (fewer cuts required than an open surgery) and an outpatient procedure (does not require hospitalization, and you can go home the same day after the surgery). Here is what you can expect after a PCL surgery:

• Immediately after the surgery
  • Immediately after the surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room where your vitals will be monitored.
  • You will be under general anesthesia, which will take some time to subside.
  • Once you are awake and aler,t you will be moved to the ward and will still be kept under observation.
  • You may feel mild discomfort once the anesthesia wears off. This  can be easily managed through pain medications.
  • Your operated knee may feel heavy due to the swelling caused by the pooling of blood and other fluids around the knee joint.
  • You will be asked to walk on the same day with the help of crutches.
  • You will be given a stiff-locking knee brace (full knee extension) for the first 4 weeks after your surgery. Once this knee brace is removed (that’s when you gain enough quad strength and balance control), you can begin your physical therapy exercises.

• 1 week after the surgery
  • General instructions 
    • You can take medications as prescribed by your surgeon to manage the pain 
    • You should keep your leg elevated while sitting or sleeping to reduce the swelling around the knee.
    • You will be advised to use compression wraps and ice packs to help minimize the swelling.
    • You may resume your regular diet as before. Having a healthy balanced diet while you recover can boost your overall health and your recovery rate.
    • You are not supposed to bear any weight on your operated leg, probably for 5-6 weeks post-surgery.
  • Wound care
    • You may remove your surgical dressing 4 to 5 days after your surgery.
    • You should not try to remove the stitches at home. Your surgeon will remove the stitches 1 week after surgery.
    • You should keep your dressing clean and dry.
    • You must avoid swimming, soaking the knee, and tub bathing until advised by your surgeon (preferably 4 to 6 weeks).
    • You can shower 3 days after the surgery but ensure that the incision area does not get wet (wrap a plastic bag around the area while bathing)
    • Watch out for any knee stiffness, bleeding, or signs of infection (drainage of pus).
• 4 weeks after the surgery
  • You can discontinue using the stiff-locking knee brace. However, continue using a protective knee brace.
  • Pain medications may not be required at this time.
  • Physical therapy will be started during this phase, consisting of thigh muscle tightening exercises. Partial weight bearing on your operated knee will be permitted with only your toe touching the ground.
• 6 weeks after the surgery
  • You may resume your daily routine activities.
  • Your physical therapist will focus on regaining your range of motion.
  • You will be advised to exercise daily to regain the lost functionality of your knee (2 to 3 sessions every day):
    • Quad sets – Lie down on your back, placing a small towel roll behind your operated knee. Tighten the muscles at the front of your leg, and hold for 5 seconds.

• Ankle pumps – Lie on your back, or sit in a chair. Lift your ankles and toes up, then point them down.

• Calf raises – Simply raise your toes up and down, keeping your legs straight. Initially, you follow the double-legs calf raise, which gradually should shift to a single-leg calf raise.

• Hamstring curls – Lie on your belly on the floor, and gently bend your injured knee backward. Bring it closer to your buttocks. Hold for 5 seconds and then straighten it.

• Stationary bicycling – Sit on a stationary bicycle with your back straight and slowly begin cycling to improve your knee flexion (bending). Begin slowly to prevent any excess strain over the operated knee.

• 3 to 6 months after the surgery
  • Once you have regained your knee stability, and range of motion, you may begin activities like light jogging, swimming, etc for better muscular endurance.
  • You can transition from a stationary bike to cycling on the road.
  • Exercises to be followed in addition to the previous exercises (2 to 3 sessions every day):
    • Calf stretch – Stand facing a wall, with your hands against the wall. Keep the heel of the operated leg on the ground and gently push forward.

• Heel slides – Lie down with n your back on the floor, and slowly bend your injured knee towards your buttocks. Hold for 5 seconds and then straighten your knee. 

• Work toward single-leg exercises like single-leg calf raises, and single-leg dips.

• 9 to 12 months after the surgery
  • During this phase, you may return to high-impact sports and activities with the approval of your physical therapist.
  • You should continue wearing your knee brace for up to 1 or 2 years accordingly.
  • You should follow up with your surgeon regularly, 

Takeaway

Recovery and proper rehabilitation programs followed by physical therapy play a fundamental role in healing post-PCL surgery. You are expected to fully recover 6 to 12 months after surgery and can resume your daily activities. High-impact sports can be resumed when you have regained your knee stability, range of motion and function (approximately 1 year after surgery). Proper postoperative care and physical therapy can help you meet your expectations after a PCL reconstruction. 

To better understand the PCL reconstruction surgery procedure and its outcomes, consult the best orthopaedic surgeons in Bangalore at Medfin.

 

Also Read:  PCL repair surgery cost in Bangalore

                   How to Sleep After PCL Surgery?

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Disclaimer: 

The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered as a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/ surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.

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