PFATS: Question & Answer
I am a high school ATC with my first football player with a partial PCL tear. What is your treatment/rehab procedure for an isolated PCL injury (non-operative)? Do you advocate immobilization at all in the early stages? How long, on average, until the football player can return to full activities?
Submitted by D. Jessup, Brownsberg, IN
Our physicians would not operate on a full or partial posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear unless there is evidence of either meniscal or some other type of inter-articular damage. If surgery is not required, our initial course of treatment is to stabilize the leg for two to three days in a straight leg immobilizer while including partial weight bearing on crutches. The goal is to have the player ambulating without crutches within 72 hours. We also begin active range of motion exercises and get the individual on a bike as soon as possible.
As always, pain and other symptoms guide the speed of progression, but hopefully the athlete can be riding a bike and incorporating additional sports specific activities within 24 to 48 hours.
We would also institute a treatment protocol to limit pain and control swelling consistent with any joint sprain. Modalities include:
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
- TENS or Sport Ex
- ANSAIDS
Return to play from a PCL injury can take anywhere from 10 days to four weeks. We have had players return to competition in as little as one week, but it generally takes a little longer. Only symptoms would limit the players return to activity.
Tim Bream, Head Athletic Trainer, Chicago Bears
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