Best PCL Reconstruction Surgeon in Delhi
What is PCL?
Posterior Cruciate Ligament is an essential knee ligament that helps in connecting the femur bone (thigh bone) and the tibia bone (shin bone). This ligament helps in stabilizing the knee joint from the posterior aspect. Though the PCL ligament is very strong as compared to the ACL, it still can get damaged, torn, or sprained. This situation is called PCL injury which can lead to impaired walking, if not treated.
PCL Reconstruction Surgery
When you feel a sharp pain behind the knee joint or having difficulty in walking or standing, it’s probably a good time to visit a good Orthopedic surgeon. The pain could be due to ruptured PCL. After thorough examination, PCL reconstruction surgery is recommended.
Who Is At More Risk of PCL Injury?
PCL injury can happen to anyone, however, some people are at higher risk of getting a PCL injury such as skiers, athletes, spokespersons, and people who actively perform a certain kind of knee movement. A PCL injury is not a common phenomenon, but when it happens, it should be treated by the best orthopedic surgeon only. The symptoms of a PCL injury can be short-term as well as long-term.
Causes/Etiology
- Falling on a bent knee.
- Dashboard injury.
- Improper landing followed by a high jump.
Diagnosis
A PCL injury is usually diagnosed with the help of the following investigative tests-
- X-rays
- MRI
- CT scan
- Arthroscopy
Grades of a PCL Injury
Similar to an ACL injury, the PCL injury has many grades depending upon the severity of the injury, such as-
- Grade I- In this type of injury, there is a partial tear in the ligament. Here the ligament is intact.
- Grade II- In this also there is a partial tear present, but the ligament becomes loose.
- Grade III- In this grade, the ligament is torn completely. The knee joint becomes unstable.
- Grade IV- In this besides PCL, another knee ligament is also injured.
Symptoms
PCL injury leads to the following conditions-
- Extreme pain in the knee joint, worsening with time.
- Inflammation and swelling.
- Unstable knee joint.
- Stiffness.
- Difficulty in walking.
- Discomfort while climbing the stairs.
How Is a PCL Injury Treated?
In the beginning, irrespective of the grade of the PCL injuries, the rule of RICE (Rest, Icing, Compression, and Elevation) is followed. Further, the treatment depends upon the severity and grade of the injury.
- Grade I and Grade II Injuries- In these grades, the knee joint is kept in the straight leg position. Along with this, rehab program is advised to strengthen the ligament and preventing further knee injury.
- Grade III Injuries- In this Grade III of PCL injury, PCL reconstruction surgery is recommended. If the PCL got detached from the attachment point, orthopedic surgeon can screw it back into place. If the PCL is completely ruptured, autograft or allograft can be used to repair or replace the ruptured ligament.
Dr. Biren Nadkarni, best Arthroscopic surgeons in south Delhi, Delhi, having experience of more than 20 years in this field. Dr. Biren Nadkarni has performed tens of thousands of Arthroscopic surgeries.
How is PCL Reconstruction Surgery Done?
Dr. Biren Nadkarni, the best Arthroscopic surgeon in Delhi, examines his patients thoroughly at his clinic – Joint & Bone Solutions. If the patient has suffered Grade III or higher PCL injury, then only the PCL reconstruction surgery in Delhi is recommended. Furthermore, patients with multiple PCL and related injuries, such as posteromedial or posterolateral injuries seeks Dr. Biren Nadkarni’s guidance to get rid of the pain. He uses arthroscopy surgery procedure to treat PCL injuries.
In arthroscopic procedure, Dr. Biren Nadkarni proceeds with making a very small hole around the knee joint to insert arthroscope, a very narrow fiber optic scope to examine the condition of the PCL injury.
Another hole is made around the knee through which a very thin tube like instrument is inserted to remove and replace the damaged ligament. Next, the graft is anchored using screws and other fixation methods. The graft is obtained from the patient himself (autograft) or from another person (allograft).
Post Operative Care after PCL Surgery
After PCL reconstruction surgery, the post-operative care includes Physiotherapy, rest, and prescribed medications. Consult Physiotherapist for a detailed rehabilitation program for fast recovery.
How Long Does it Take to Recover After a PCL Injury?
In general, it takes 6-9 months to completely recover after your PCL reconstruction surgery and return to daily routine as well as sports activity. Consult Physiotherapist for a rehab program to regain knee strength and a full range of motion. Weight bearing activities can be performed under physiotherapist supervision.
FAQs
You should avoid weight-shifting exercises, squats with more than 70° knee flexion, and leg press to avoid giving much tension to the PCL.
After a PCL surgery, it usually takes 6-9 months to completely recover from the injury and return to normal and athletic activities.
A PCL injury is relatively rarer than an ACL injury as it is large and stronger than an ACL.
Dr. Biren Nadkarni of Joint & Bone Solutions is the best Arthroscopic and Joint Replacement Surgeon in Delhi with experience of more than 20 years in this field.
If you have pain in the backside of the knee joint, it is advised to consult an experienced Orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Biren Nadkarni of Joint & Bone Solutions is the best Orthopedic surgeon in Delhi with a good amount of expertise in Arthroscopy and joint replacement surgeries.