PCL Reconstruction

University of Delaware Physical Therapy · UDPT Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

PWB with crutches and post-op orthosis locked week 1; wean crutches when quad strength > 60% of uninvolved (weeks 3-5); normal gait without crutches by weeks 6-10

Key Restrictions

No hamstring curls 0-90° until week 12; running progression with functional brace begins at week 16; NMES at 30° until quad MVIC ≥ 80% uninvolved; no cutting/pivoting until return to sport criteria met at week 20

Timeline & Phases

Week 1 (1 visit), Week 2 (3-4 visits), Weeks 3-5 (9-13 visits), Weeks 6-10 (19-28 visits), Week 12 (twice/week rechecks), Week 16 (running progression), Week 20 (return to sport transition); 30-40 visits expected

Notes

University of Delaware PT Clinic; PCL reconstruction with or without PL repair/reconstruction; MVIC tested isometrically at 30° knee flexion; running progression: treadmill walking → walk/run intervals → treadmill running → track straights → track straights and turns → road; return to sport: KOS ADLS > 90%, Global report > 70%; concomitant procedure notes: chondroplasty (restricted WB 4 weeks), MCL injury (sagittal plane restriction weeks 4-6); updated 2021

Surgeon / Author

UDPT Clinical Team

Published

Updated 2021