PCL Reconstruction

Mammoth Orthopedic Institute / Sierra Park PT · Brian B. Gilmer MD (US Ski Team Physician); Karly M. Dawson PA-C; Sara Chavez…

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with crutches; brace locked in extension x2 weeks for WB then unlocked for gait in controlled settings wks 2-6; TTWB x6 weeks if concurrent PLC or LCL repair

Key Restrictions

Flexion limited 0-90 deg x6 weeks; brace on at all times including sleeping x6 weeks; no OKC hamstring work x6 weeks; if PCL + PLC/LCL repair: TTWB x6 weeks; no squats >90 deg Phase II; brace DC at 8 weeks; flexion may lag 10-15 deg for up to 5 months post-op

Timeline & Phases

4 phases: Phase I (0-6 wks, WBAT brace locked x2 wks, flexion 0-90 deg, no OKC hamstrings), Phase II (6-12 wks, brace unlocked then DC at 8 wks, CKC, stationary bike from wk 8), Phase III (12-16 wks, advance CKC, pool jogging, hamstring curls to 45 deg from wk 12), Phase IV (16-24 wks, jumping from 16 wks, sprinting from 20 wks, cutting/plyometrics)

Notes

References Brotzman and Wilk Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation 2003; if concurrent PLC or LCL repair: TTWB x6 wks instead of WBAT; quad strength 85% uninvolved and functional testing 85% uninvolved for Phase III RTS clearance; Sara Chavez MPT 11/18/16; Gilmer MD 2/25/2019

Surgeon / Author

Brian B. Gilmer MD (US Ski Team Physician); Karly M. Dawson PA-C; Sara Chavez MPT

Published

February 2019