Torn PCL

hi id-firefighter: Sorry to hear about your torn pcl. I too have a torn pcl, but I don't know what's exactly typical for a pcl. There are lots of places to look at online: in google, just go "PCL tear" or "PCL partial tear" or even "PCL injury" to see tons of info.

I injured my knee (and broke my elbow) when I was running from homebase to the dugout in an informal softball game at work in April 07. It took three weeks for me to convince my ex-orthopod that my knee was more than banged up. Then I had an MRi and a new doc, and now I have been diagnosed with a partially torn pcl.

So, now it's the middle of July, and I have to say that the recovery is far more difficult than the sites say it is. The sites say that most people with a grade 1 pcl tear, which is what I've been told I have, are back to 'playing' at 4- 6 weeks. Here I am, at almost three months, still gimping around. Still, my orthop says that I likely won't need surgery, and that it just takes time. I'm not exactly a pro-athlete; I'm 43, but I'm in good shape, so it's a little disheartening that it's taking so long.

Oh well. Little by little, if that's what it takes.

So--currrently, I am wearing a hinged knee brace which feels very supportive and absolutely necessary most of the time. I can work out (elliptical and stationary bike along with lots of quad exercises--mini leg presses but absolutely no hamstring work). I do a lot of pt work at home--quad sets, passive stretching, ankle weights etc, and I can walk around, carefully, in my house, without the brace.

I'm guessing you had an MRI to get the diagnosis, and I'm hoping that you're set up with some PT and that PT is doing a lot of quad strengthening exercises. I found a pcl site that originated at West Point, by the way, and it agreed with many other sites in that:

pcl ligaments have their own blood supply (unlike the ACL), so it's probable that many PCL tears will heal themselves albeit slowly.
most people don't need pcl surgery unless they've damaged other ligaments at the same time
studies have shown that pcl surgery isn't that much more successful than non-operative treatment (unless the multi-ligament injury is there)
most people are mostly pleased with their recovery five years later (studies say)'

Additionally, from my searches, I've learned that,of those patients with pcl injuries, the ones who have the most successful recovery are the ones with the strongest (to a point) quads. The quads, I think, compensate for the weaker PCL role in controlling (or contributing to) knee stability.

I'm learned also that PCL injuries increase the likelihood for later 'degenerative damage' to the knee--ie arthritis etc.

So--I hope this helps. You can find tons online if you have time to search for it. The other poster also noted that this site has helpful info too.

Good luck with the pcl. The West Point site said that their treatment of army-specific pcl injuries was geared to getting soldiers back on their feet quickly, so while I think you're actually in the army now, perhaps there''ll be the same care and accelerated recovery for you.

I hope so. Good luck with it all, and if you end up over in the Sandbox, take care.

AJ

I have been told I have a torn PCL I am in the military and have been having a hard time finding out what to expect with this injury if anyone has had this before and knows what I should expect please tell me I dont know if surgury is going to be needed or if it will heal back to normal with PT or am I just out of luck I cant find alot of info on it it seems to be a realy rare injury or so my Dr told me any help would be appreciated thanks