The posterior cruciate ligament, also known as the posterior cruciate ligament, is located behind the knee joint and plays an important role in keeping the knee joint stable, as does the anterior cruciate ligament. The posterior cruciate ligament is thicker than the anterior cruciate ligament and can withstand about twice the force of the anterior cruciate ligament, so injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament are mostly caused by serious violence such as traffic accidents, falls from heights, and heavy injuries. Therefore, when the posterior cruciate ligament is injured, the pain and dysfunction of the knee joint will be more obvious than that of the anterior cruciate ligament, and because of the instability of the knee joint, the strain on the knee joint will be greatly increased during activities, which will easily lead to osteoarthritis. Accordingly, the recovery process after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery is longer and should be gradual and not over-trained.
Postoperative rehabilitation guidance for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Note: In order to improve the rehabilitation effect, it is recommended that you use a brace with a locking buckle.
Two weeks after surgery.
Purpose: To reduce knee pain and swelling, maintain knee mobility and active control and strength of the thigh muscles.
Training.
1. The patient should rest in bed with the affected limb elevated as much as possible.
2. Intermittent cold compresses to the joint for 30 minutes each time, repeated at 2-hour intervals.
3.Actively move the ankle joint or actively tense the thigh muscles to promote blood circulation, reduce swelling and increase muscle strength.
4.You can walk on crutches (such as going to the toilet, etc.). When walking, please wear a brace and fix it at 0 degrees. Note that the affected limb can only toe the ground, not the body weight completely on the affected limb. Do not walk for too long to prevent swelling of the joint. (Ice pack can relieve pain and reduce swelling)
5.Passive knee straightening: the patient lies on his back with the heel pads elevated and the knee joint suspended below, so that the knee joint is fully straightened under the weight of the leg.
6.Straight leg elevation training, that is, the leg is straightened and slowly lifted off the bed until the pain is intolerable or can no longer be lifted up, and then slowly lowered. Please wear a brace and fix it at 0 degree after this training.
7. If necessary, push the patella in all four directions to increase the range of motion of the patella.
Two weeks after surgery to six weeks after surgery.
Purpose: To achieve 90 degrees of knee flexion, reduce knee swelling, and increase muscle strength.
Training.
1. Patients can increase the time to move out of bed appropriately, but still need crutches and fix the brace at 0 degrees. When the pain is tolerable, the weight of the affected limb can be gradually increased, but the weight of the body should still be on the healthy side.
2. Exercise of thigh muscle strength – active muscle tensing and straight leg raising training. At this stage, straight leg raising training can be carried out in all directions under the protection of the brace, such as lying down, side lying, prone, etc. The brace should still be fixed at 0 degrees during the training.
3. Training of the posterior thigh muscles — If the knee joint can be fully straightened, you can lie flat, lift the affected limb upward until it is perpendicular to the bed, and use the weight of the lower leg to perform exercises to bend the knee joint.
Six to twelve weeks after surgery.
Purpose: To be able to achieve near normal extension and flexion of the knee joint, increase muscle strength, further refine knee mobility and increase muscle strength.
Exercises.
1. Limit the brace to a range of motion from 0 to 60 degrees and continue walking exercises, gradually increasing the weight bearing of the affected limb until no crutches are used.
2.Continue straight leg raising in all directions. As long as the pain is tolerable, the brace can be restricted to a range of motion from 0 to 60 degrees and the training of slight squatting can be performed.
3.Last 5 degrees of straightening: lie flat or sit on the bed with straight legs, put a soft pillow (about 15 cm in diameter) at the place below the knee joint, straighten the knee joint and press the leg down hard for 10 seconds, relax.
4.Walk at normal speed or go forward on the steps training.
5.Ride a bicycle at normal speed.
Twelve to twenty weeks.
Purpose: To completely restore normal knee mobility and further increase muscle strength, mobility, and flexibility.
Training.
1.Limit the brace to 0-90 degrees for various daily activities, but do not participate in any fast running, jumping and other sports activities for the time being.
2.Walking with complete weight bearing, or single leg weight bearing training for the affected limb.
3.Leg strength (including thigh and calf) training, such as lunge, squatting horse stance, standing on tiptoe.
4.Go up and down steps. Jogging in front and back direction.
After twenty weeks.
Purpose: mainly lower limb flexibility training
1.Strengthen the knee joint position sensory training.
2.Strengthen forward running training.
3.Strengthening joint function reciprocal movement exercises (special exercises).
4.Flexibility exercises of the joint in all directions, such as shuttlecock, etc.
About 6 months after surgery, a functional examination of the knee ligaments can be performed by a physician to determine whether or not you can participate in sports activities.