PCL Reconstruction

Mountain Orthopaedics · Mountain Ortho Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

PWB with crutches x 6 wks; progressive WB wks 6-12; FWB Phase III+

Key Restrictions

Brace locked 0/0 deg x 6-8 wks; ROM limited 0-90 deg passive prone flexion or seated (anterior tibial translation technique) x 6 wks; no resisted hamstrings x 12 wks; minimize posterior tibial translation throughout; quad sets with towel behind tibia

Timeline & Phases

Phase I Max Protection (wks 0-6): PWB, brace locked, patellar mobs, ROM 0-90, quad sets/SLR; Phase II Progressive (wks 6-12): brace open 0-90, progress ROM, gym strengthening (leg press/calf/abd-add - NO hamstrings), bilateral CKC squats, stationary bike, pool; Phase III Advanced (wks 12-20): full ROM, advance cardio, begin resisted hamstrings; Phase IV Return to Sport (wks 20 to 9-12 mo): pool running wk 20, dry land running wk 24, agility drills 7-8 mo, return to sport 9-12 mo

Notes

Quadriceps-dominant protocol; posterior tibial shear avoided throughout; resisted hamstrings held until wk 12; pool running precedes dry land; return to sport 9-12 months; anterior tibial translation technique during early ROM protects graft

Surgeon / Author

Mountain Ortho Clinical Team