PCL Reconstruction
Do you always need surgery to treat a damaged posterior cruciate ligament? What happens during PCL reconstruction surgery via our Gloucestershire knee clinic?
Does a damaged PCL always require surgery?
No. Often, physiotherapy can help to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint to compensate for the damaged ligament. Depending on the severity of the injury, a course of physiotherapy may take several weeks. You may also need to continue with strengthening exercises for several months afterwards. In time, however, and for many sprains and partial tears, your knee should recover full mobility and stability.
Where problems persist, however, knee surgery may be your best option.
Can you repair a PCL tear?
No. Ligaments don’t heal on their own and attempts at repairing ligaments (that is, stitching two torn pieces of ligament back together) have proved largely unsuccessful. The solution is to reconstruct the ligament.
What does PCL reconstruction surgery involve?
In a PCL reconstruction Alex takes a piece of tissue from one of your leg muscles and grafts it into position, either replacing the ligament or acting as a sort of ‘scaffold’ for the remaining parts of it. The operation is carried out using knee arthroscopy or ‘keyhole surgery’.
How long does it take to recover from PCL surgery?
Recovery from the treatment itself will be swift, but you will need a course of physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the joint and recover full movement. A return to full function will take months.
A return to full sporting activity should be possible, but will take at least four months and frequently longer.
Ligament reconstruction in Cheltenham, Gloucester and the Cotswolds
If you suspect you may have damaged your PCL, book your appointment with Alex, knee consultant for Gloucestershire, now.
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Appointments
To make an appointment please either fill in the contact form and you will be called back by our secretary to arrange a convenient appointment time or get in touch directly.
Call Chrissie Holmyard 01242 246549 at Nuffield Health, Cheltenham.
