1. Grade 1 and 2 PLC Injuries:
   • These are less severe and can often be treated with physical therapy instead of surgery.

1. Grade 3 PLC Injuries:

1. • These are more serious and a complete disruption of the ligaments and usually require surgery.

For a complete tear of the LCL or other structures in the PLC, surgery is often needed within the first two weeks after the injury. This is the best time for surgery, particularly if we are attempting a repair, but do not think there isn’t an option if your injury was a long time ago. We can also reconstruct the PLC for more chronic injuries. New surgery techniques have improved the chances of returning to high-level activities and sports, something that was not always possible in the past.

• Restoring Anatomy: Generally, we use grafts (usually from donors) to reconstruct the damaged ligaments and restore the normal structure of the knee.
• Fixation: These grafts are secured with non-metal screws to help them stay in place.

Additional Considerations

• Delay in Treatment: If you wait too long to get treated and develop bowed legs, you might need an osteotomy where we cut and realign your bone. This is a surgery to correct the bow-leggedness before reconstructing the ligaments. This helps prevent the new ligaments from stretching out due to ongoing stress on the knee.

Recovering from PLC surgery can take a long time and depends on how severe the injury was and which other ligaments were hurt. Here’s a general timeline for what to expect:

1. Initial Recovery (First 6 Weeks):

• Rest and No Weight-Bearing: For the first six weeks after surgery, you should avoid putting weight on the injured leg.
• Starting Physical Therapy: Physical therapy usually begins on the first or second day after surgery. This helps to improve the range of motion in your knee.

2. Early Rehabilitation (Weeks 7-8):

• Driving: You can usually start driving about seven to eight weeks after surgery if you are able to walk comfortably.
• Physical Therapy Focus: During this time, the focus of physical therapy will shift to improving endurance and strength.

3. Advanced Rehabilitation (3-6 Months Post-Surgery):

• Agility Exercises: Around four months after surgery, you can start doing exercises to improve agility.
• Running: If you’ve successfully completed the earlier stages of rehab, you can begin a running program often times around 6 months.

4. Return to Sports (9-12 Months):

• Return to Sport: Return to sport can heavily depend on what other knee injuries occurred since most PLC occur with other knee ligament injuries. Thus, return to sport is very variable and can change case by case. 9-12 months is on the early end for most people who undergo this surgery.