PCL Reconstruction — Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Reconstruction

UW Health Sports Medicine · UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine Physician group

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with brace locked in extension and axillary crutches; brace weaned weeks 4-6 as leg control improves

Key Restrictions

No open chain hamstring strengthening or hamstring stretching through Phase II; no bike Phase I-II; brace locked for all WB Phase I; ROM 0-90° Phase I; CKC <70° knee flex Phase II; no forced hyperflexion

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-4 wks): WBAT + locked brace, ROM 0-90°, no hamstring work; Phase II (5-12 wks): normalize gait, ROM to 120°, CKC <70°, no hamstring; Phase III (12-16 wks): agility, open/closed chain quads, light impact; Phase IV (24+ wks): RTS (dynamic neuromuscular control without instability/pain/swelling)

Notes

No open chain hamstring exercises until Phase III — critical restriction as hamstrings stress the PCL graft via posterior tibial translation. Brace weaned weeks 4-6. 4-phase criterion-based protocol. Copyright 2018.

Surgeon / Author

UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine Physician group

Published

2018-05