PCL Reconstruction
Reconstructive surgery to repair a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), restoring stability and function to the knee joint.
Who Needs It
Recommended for patients with a torn or ruptured PCL causing knee instability, most often following a direct blow to the front of a bent knee, such as in a fall, sports collision or road traffic accident.
How It's Performed
The torn ligament is removed and replaced with a graft, often taken from the patient's own hamstring, patellar or Achilles tendon, which is threaded through the knee and secured to recreate the function of the original PCL. The procedure is typically performed arthroscopically using small incisions.
Preparing for Surgery
Before surgery, patients typically undergo a physical examination and imaging such as an MRI to confirm the extent of the ligament tear and assess for associated injuries, since PCL tears often occur alongside damage to other structures in the knee. A period of pre-surgical physiotherapy is often recommended to reduce swelling and restore knee movement before the operation.
Benefits
Reconstructing the PCL restores stability to the knee, reducing the risk of further injury and long-term joint wear, and allowing a safe return to daily activities and sport.
Risks & Complications
As with any surgical procedure, PCL reconstruction carries some risk, including infection, stiffness, graft failure or persistent instability in a small number of cases. Your surgical team will discuss your individual risk factors beforehand and take steps to minimise these risks.
Life After Surgery
Most patients regain stable, confident knee function and are able to return to daily activity and sport once a full rehabilitation programme is complete, with a low likelihood of further ligament injury.
Price Range
Price on Consultation
Recovery Timeline
The knee is supported in a specialised brace to prevent the shin bone from sagging backward, with crutches used for walking during this period.
Gentle physiotherapy begins to gradually increase knee bend and reactivate the quadriceps muscles, with crutches phased out as strength returns.
Advanced strengthening exercises prepare athletes for running and agility drills, working toward an eventual return to contact sports.