PCL Reconstruction 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. Jeff Padalecki provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Austin who have torn their PCL. Contact Dr. Padalecki’s team today!
PCL Reconstruction as a Posterior Cruciate Ligament
Injury Treatment
The PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) is a ligament that is located inside the knee joint near the back of the knee. This particular ligament is responsible for keeping the bone in the leg from moving backward (or posterior) in relation to the bone in the thigh. A PCL can become damaged or injured through sports or other traumatic accident such a motor vehicle collision. Some of these injuries may present themselves as mild tears, while others represent full tears. PCL knee injuries are not as common as ACL knee injuries, however, many times it is because a PCL knee injury may simply go undiagnosed. PCL reconstruction, a posterior cruciate ligament injury treatment, is performed by knee surgeon Dr. Jeff Padalecki, serving patients in Austin, Round Rock, and Cedar Park, Texas communities who have suffered a severe PCL tear and have lost knee stability and function.
Mild PCL knee injuries can oftentimes heal on their own. In certain instances the ligament is torn to the extent that a PCL reconstruction may be necessary.
How is a PCL Reconstruction Performed?
Dr. Padalecki performs PCL knee reconstructions following a thorough assessment of the knee using an MRI so that the extent of the injury, location, and pattern of injury can be determined.
Surgical reconstruction of the PCL is usually only recommended for grade III PCL tears. During a PCL reconstruction, Dr. Padalecki will reconstruct the ligament using a graft. This graft usually consists of donated tissue (i.e. the quadriceps) from another person (known as an allograft). Sutures will be used to complete this process and to tightly secure the ligament to as close to its native footprint as possible.
What Occurs After PCL Reconstruction Surgery?
Following PCL reconstruction surgery, a brace is required for six months to prevent gravity from stretching out the reconstructed ligament. Physical therapy is a very important part of the recovery process and is recommended in order for the patient to make a full recovery and receive optimal results. It is recommended, that after surgery, rehabilitation begin so that patients can begin striving towards range of motion, strengthening of the knee, and full mobility. Initially, patients cannot place weight on their leg for 6 weeks. Strengthening begins at seven weeks, and running and cutting sports are delayed for up to 24 months.
For additional information on PCL reconstruction, a posterior cruciate ligament injury treatment, please contact the Austin, Texas office of orthopedic knee surgeon Dr. Jeff Padalecki.