Posterior Cruciate Ligament, which is the acronym of PCL, is an important and main ligaments present in the knee. It is one of the large ligaments present in the knee. The function of it is to control the movement from front to back. When the knee is injured this ligament is affected and settings can be done in various ways. Most of the problems related to this can be treated and done without the operations or surgeries. It is because PCL has synovial covering that has self healing ability. In the cases like if the problem is associated in combination with the ligament tears of the other parts of the knee, PCL reconstruction is required.

Indications

PCL is possibly ruptured or torn, while playing sports activities or also from a direct blow happening over the knees. If it is rupture or minor injury, it can be possibly treated with the help of muscle strengthening or physiotherapy. However,  if the injury is severe, PCL reconstruction is needed.

Usually, acute PCL tears, in combination with other things like MCL complex, ACL, posterolateral corner tears are usually combined and the reconstruction is performed before three weeks of the knee injury. Rarely, PCL repair is done, when a bone avulsion injury or peel off is happened. PCL reconstruction is performed also for the patients, who suffer from chronic PCL injuries and who have instability and pain symptoms.

Before the procedure

The patient should nto eat anything for 8 hours before the surgery begins and fluid take must be stopped before four hours of the surgery.

Procedure

PCL reconstruction is generally performed under the general anaesthesia. Small incisions are made on the knees and special instruments, designed for such operations are used in the surgery. There are many graft choices developed and employed to surgeon to perform the PCL reconstruction. These are harmsring tendons, quadriceps tendon using bone blocks, autogenous patellar. Other choices are also present like Achilles tendon allografts, grafts taken from the donors, patellar tendon.

The procedure requires the material, a ligament graft. It is usually taken from the knee itself, from its front part, or sometimes from behind the knee, from harmstring tendons. The selection is done on the basis of which one grows to a better and larger extent. During the procedure, of PCL reconstruction, the remaining native portion of PCL is removed. While doing this, ligament of Wristbern is well preserved with care.

The ligaments that are torn would be trimmed and finally the replacement of the graft is one. The ligament is fixed by fitting both the top and bottom ends of it. Special screws are employed into the holes that were drilled into the bones. Then finally, the incisions are closed with the help of the adhesive strips or stitches. The operation is completed in about one hour.

Once the graft is fixed into the knee, it can form a new ligament. Though forming of the new ligament takes long time, up to one year, the patient would be able to return to the normal daily activities and also can return to the sports. But returning to the sports need 6 months of duration.

Recovery

After the surgery is performed, patient has to stay in the hospital for the overnight. Recovery is rapid from the anesthesia and the patient can awake, soon the operation is completed. However, the drowsy would be continued for an hour or two hours. The patient will be discharged from the hospital, after ensuring that he or she is able to bear his or her weight on the crutches as these are important for security. Waterproof dress is made. Finally, before leaving, physiotherapist will detail about how to perform the daily based exercises and these exercises will strengthen the bones and the recovery will be sooner.

Cost of PCL Reconstruction Surgery

The above Package Cost is a tentative Approximate Package Estimate, which includes initial investigations & specialists screening, stay in a Private Room wherein patient’s assistant or relative can also stay with patient, doctor / surgeon fee, nursing care, medicines & consumables, Airport Pick-Up & Drop. 

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