Posterior cruciate ligament
PCL Injury & Reconstruction in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The posterior cruciate ligament is the strongest ligament in the knee and is usually injured by a direct blow to the front of a bent knee - the classic dashboard injury on Ahmedabad's roads, or a fall onto the knee during sport.
- Accurate grading with stress X-rays and MRI
- Many isolated tears treated without surgery
- Arthroscopic reconstruction for high-grade instability
- Dedicated PCL brace protocol
How a PCL tear feels
PCL injuries are quieter than ACL tears. Instead of dramatic giving way you notice a vague deep ache, difficulty walking downhill or down stairs, and a knee that feels unreliable when decelerating.
- Pain behind the knee, worse when kneeling
- Swelling that is often mild compared with the injury
- Difficulty with stairs, slopes and squatting
- Long-term kneecap pain if left untreated
Treatment: not every PCL tear needs surgery
Isolated grade I and II tears usually recover well with a dynamic PCL brace and an aggressive quadriceps strengthening programme over three to four months.
Grade III tears, combined ligament injuries and knees that stay unstable after rehab are reconstructed arthroscopically using a single or double-bundle graft technique.
Recovery
PCL rehabilitation is slower and more protective than ACL rehabilitation, because hamstring pull can stretch a healing graft. Bracing continues for several weeks, with progressive loading and return to sport typically at nine to twelve months.
Patients from Gandhinagar, Nadiad, Anand and other parts of Gujarat are followed up jointly with local physiotherapists where distance makes weekly clinic visits difficult.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk with a torn PCL?
Most people can walk, which is why the injury is often missed. Walking without pain does not mean the ligament is intact - assessment is still needed.
Is PCL surgery more difficult than ACL surgery?
It is technically more demanding because of the tunnel position near the back of the knee, which is why it should be done by a surgeon who performs it regularly.
How long does the PCL brace need to be worn?
Usually 12 to 16 weeks for conservative treatment and after reconstruction, with progressive weaning guided by strength and stability testing.