PCL Surgeon
Are you an athlete who participates in contact sports? If so, you may be at risk of sustaining a PCL injury. PCL injuries are not as common as ACL injuries, but when they occur, patients can experience severe instability and loss of proper knee function. PCL surgeon, Dr. Mark Getelman provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Los Angeles who have torn their PCL. Contact Dr. Getelman’s team today!
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
(PCL Reconstruction) Overview
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is located in the back (posterior) of the knee and crosses (cruciate) behind the ACL. The PCL plays an important role in knee function by controlling back and forth motion and keeping the tibia (shin bone) from moving backwards too far in relation to the femur (thigh bone). PCL knee injuries are not as common as ACL injuries, but when they occur, patients can experience severe instability and loss of proper knee function. PCL surgery, commonly known as a PCL reconstruction, is performed by knee surgeon Dr. Mark Getelman in Van Nuys, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks and Los Angeles, California patients who have suffered a severe PCL tear and have lost knee stability and function.
The PCL may become injured in isolation or in conjunction with other knee ligaments. Non-surgical measures may be recommended by Dr. Getelman in mild PCL knee injury cases where the injury is isolated to the PCL, typically grade I and grade II injuries.
More severe PCL knee injuries and those associated with ACL, MCL or posterolateral injuries as well may require an arthroscopic PCL surgery to restore knee function and stability. Dr. Getelman typically recommends a PCL reconstruction for these more complex injuries.
During the PCL reconstruction, Dr. Getelman will use a graft to reconstruct the torn ligament. PCL surgery typically requires an allograft, a donated tissue from another individual, to reconstruct the ligament. Using an allograft allows Dr. Getelman to use a larger graft to replicate the size and position of the original PCL.
PCL Reconstruction Repair Protocols
After PCL knee surgery, patients will be required to limit weight bearing and ROM and use crutches for about 6 weeks to protect the repaired knee. A brace is recommended for approximately 6 months. The brace helps keep the knee in place and prevent gravity from stretching out the newly reconstructed ligament. Physical therapy is important after a PCL reconstruction. Dr. Getelman will prescribe a rehabilitation program following PCL reconstructive surgery to help restore full range of motion and then strengthen the knee joint.
If you have experienced a PCL knee injury and believe you may need a PCL reconstruction, please contact Dr. Mark Getelman, orthopedic knee surgeon in the Van Nuys, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks and Los Angeles, California area.