Knee > PCL Tear > Treatments

   R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation)

Home Recovery

If your PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) tear does not require surgery, your doctor will likely prescribe R.I.C.E )Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) and observation.

   Your doctor will likely suggest that you take it easy for several days, so it may be wise to clear your schedule of any physical activities. You probably should not do the activity that caused the injury.

   Initially, your doctor will likely recommend applying ice packs to the knee for 10 or 15 minutes every three or four hours. You will probably need to do this for two or three days or until the pain subsides.

   An elastic wrap or bandage will compress the knee and help keep the swelling down.

   Avoid impact activities like running and stairs. Avoid high-risk activities, such as basketball, skiing, and football, that put the knee at risk of further injury.

   Your doctor will likely suggest that you take it easy for several days, so it may be wise to clear your schedule of any physical activities. You probably should not do the activity that caused the injury.

   Initially, your doctor will likely recommend applying ice packs to the knee for 10 or 15 minutes every three or four hours. You will probably need to do this for two or three days or until the pain subsides.

   An elastic wrap or bandage will compress the knee and help keep the swelling down.

   Avoid impact activities like running and stairs. Avoid high-risk activities, such as basketball, skiing, and football, that put the knee at risk of further injury.

Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be recommended or prescribed to ease the pain and swelling associated with the injury. A small amount of pain is normal during physical activity, but if you feel so much pain in your knee to warrant taking a painkiller before an activity, you should consider cutting back or stopping. Do not play through the pain after an PCL injury ­ it may be a sign that your activity is putting too much stress on your knee.

FULL RECOVERY

In order to return to your activities, you should be able to:

   Flex and extend your knee without pain

   Experience no swelling

   Feel as if your injured knee is as strong as your other knee

   Jog and sprint without limping

   Stop and cut while running without pain or instability.

Strengthening the thigh muscles may help prevent further knee injury. After up to six months of rehab, your knee may feel strong but your PCL may not stabilize your knee as well as it did before the injury. Remember that many of the exercises and activities that are popular for fitness put stress on your knees.

Your physician may prescribe a brace initially to make you more comfortable. However, braces have not been shown to prevent injury to knee ligaments.