Orthopaedics – Surgeries – Treatment
Treatment of Knee Diseases
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Reconstruction
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tear
The Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) is the largest and strongest ligament of the knee, critical for joint stability and especially for preventing posterior sliding of the tibia. Its rupture is usually caused by high-intensity injuries, such as car accidents or serious sports injuries, and is often accompanied by damage to other anatomical structures of the knee (e.g. menisci, anterior cruciate ligament, posterior-external angle, collateral ligaments).
Diagnosis and Conservative Treatment
The diagnosis of a rupture is made through clinical examinations and imaging methods such as MRI. Grade 1 and 2 lesions, if not accompanied by severe damage, are treated conservatively. Treatment includes ice therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, an immobilisation of the lower limb and a physiotherapy programme to restore range of motion.Diagnosis and conservative treatment
Surgical Treatment
Grade 3 injuries, where the ligament is completely ruptured, require surgical repair due to the severe instability they cause. Rehabilitation is performed arthroscopically using an autograft and involves restoring stability of the ligament, while in cases of multi-linkage injuries, rehabilitation starts from the posterior-external corner and continues with the ACL.
Grafts
The procedure involves the use of autografts, which are taken from:
- Hamstring Tendons
- Patellar Tendon
- Quadriceps Tendon
The characteristics of the grafts are similar to those described in the treatment of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).
Postoperative Rehabilitation
The patient remains in the clinic for one day. After the swelling subsides, a special physiotherapy programme is started, with a gradual return to daily activities. Sports activities are allowed after 6 months, when the joint has fully recovered its stability.
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