Postoperative Rehabilitation After Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Combined Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction-Posterior Lateral Corner Surgery

The management of injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the posterior lateral corner (PLC) of the knee, although relatively rare, presents a challenge to both orthopedic surgeons and rehabilitation specialists. Injuries to the PCL can occur in isolation or in combination with a PLC injury. Surgical intervention is often warranted with the goal of surgery to have a stable, well-aligned knee and to restore the preinjury kinematics of the knee joint. Principles guiding rehabilitation should be followed following a PCL reconstruction or a combined PCL-PLC surgery. Advancement through the rehabilitative course should be based on meeting set criteria while adhering to set time frames to allow sufficient healing. Therapeutic interventions, when introduced to the rehabilitation program, have sound evidence to support their inclusion. A functional progression is followed throughout the rehabilitative course. Criteria via objective and qualitative measures are used and should be met before allowing an athlete or patient to return to sport or normal activities of daily living. Compliance by a patient throughout the course of rehabilitation is vital in achieving a successful outcome.