Can a PCL Injury Heal Without Surgery?

Yes! Most PCL injuries, particularly Grade 1and 2 injuries, can heal on their own without surgery. To start the healing process without surgery we concentrate on the following:

1. Resting the Knee: Avoid activities that make the pain worse or cause the knee to feel unstable.
2. Ice and Compression: Apply ice packs to reduce swelling. Always use a cloth between the ice and your skin to prevent frostbite. Compression can also help with swelling.
3. Pain Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like Naproxen or Ibuprofen (NSAIDs) can help with pain and inflammation.
4. Physical Therapy: This is the most crucial part of the healing process. Exercises help strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve stability. However, therapy for PCL injuries is more focused on certain muscle groups such as the quadriceps muscles and avoids activities that might strain the ligament, like heavy hamstring exercises.
5. Proprioceptive Training: This helps you improve your sense of knee position and movement, making the knee more stable during activities.
6. PCL Brace: A special knee brace can help stabilize the knee and reduce stress on the PCL by preventing the hamstrings from pulling the shin bone backwards leading to more strain on the PCL.