Specialized PCL Treatment in Singapore PCL Reconstruction Surgery

Dr. Sean Leo specializes in PCL injury treatment, bringing over 25 years of orthopedic expertise. He utilizes advanced, minimally invasive techniques for PCL reconstruction to restore knee stability, enhance mobility, and facilitate a confident return to daily activities or sports.

Picture of Dr. Sean Leo

Dr. Sean Leo

Orthopedic Surgeon Singapore
PCL Diagram

What is PCL Injury?

Understanding Knee Ligament Injuries with Dr. Sean Leo.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injuries are less common but still significant, particularly among athletes involved in high-impact sports or activities that put stress on the knee joint. PCL injuries can range from mild strains to complete tears, often causing symptoms that affect knee stability and movement.

The PCL is located at the back of the knee and helps prevent the tibia (shin bone) from moving too far backward relative to the femur (thigh bone). When injured, it can result in pain, swelling, and difficulty with movement, especially during activities that involve running or jumping.

Recognizing PCL injury symptoms early and consulting a knee specialist is essential to determine the appropriate treatment. While many PCL injuries can improve with rest, physiotherapy, and bracing, more severe tears may require surgical reconstruction to restore knee function.

Exploring treatment options early supports a faster recovery and a return to normal activity or sports with confidence.

Pain as a Signal of Injury:
How Your Body Alerts You

Dr Sean Leo explains how pain serves as your body's mechanism for alerting you to injury, helping you recognize when something's wrong and take action.

What are the Symptoms
of a PCL Tear

Recognizing the symptoms of a PCL tear early can guide effective treatment and recovery. PCL injuries often occur during high-impact sports or activities that involve sudden deceleration or direct trauma to the knee.

Common symptoms of a PCL tear include:
PCL Injuries

Pain and Tenderness
at the Back of the Knee

Patients often experience pain in the back of the knee, particularly when pressure is applied or during certain movements.

Swelling

Swelling typically develops within hours of the injury, as fluid and blood accumulate in the knee joint, making it feel tight and stiff.

Limited Knee Movement

Pain and swelling may limit the knee’s ability to bend or straighten properly, affecting mobility.

Instability

A feeling of instability or weakness in the knee, especially when bearing weight, is common with more severe tears of the PCL.

PCL Injury
Treatment and Recovery

Specialized Care by Dr. Sean Leo, Orthopaedic Knee & Sports Injury Specialist
  • Treatment Options
  • When Needed
  • Recovery Time
  • Success Rates
  • Surgery Costs

What are the treatment options for PCL injuries?

Surgical vs Non-surgical

For a complete PCL tear, surgical reconstruction may be necessary to restore knee stability and function. This procedure often involves minimally invasive techniques to repair or reconstruct the damaged ligament. In cases where the injury is less severe, non-surgical options such as bracing and physical therapy can be effective, particularly for partial tears or in individuals with lower activity levels.

Dr. Sean Leo specializes in advanced PCL reconstruction techniques, offering personalized care to promote optimal healing and recovery. The treatment plan will be tailored to the severity of the injury, your activity level, age, and overall health.

A comprehensive evaluation by a knee specialist is crucial to determine the best approach for your PCL injury, ensuring the best possible outcome for restoring knee stability and mobility.

When would you need PCL surgery?

Act Promptly for Better Outcomes

PCL injuries, particularly complete tears, often require surgical intervention to restore knee stability and function. While some PCL injuries may heal with rest and rehabilitation, certain factors can indicate the need for surgery. 

Surgical intervention for PCL injuries may be recommended if:

  • A complete PCL tear is confirmed by imaging, such as an MRI.
  • There is significant knee instability that affects daily activities or mobility.
  • The individual is highly active and wishes to return to sports or physically demanding tasks.
  • Multiple ligament injuries are present, complicating the healing process.
  • The patient is young and has an active lifestyle requiring optimal knee function.

Early consultation with a knee specialist is essential to evaluate the injury and determine the best course of action for recovery, ensuring the long-term health and stability of your knee.

How long does it take to recover from PCL surgery?

What to Expect

Recovery from PCL surgery typically takes about 6 to 9 months, with a full recovery and return to sports or intense physical activities often requiring up to 12 months. The exact timeline can vary depending on individual factors, the severity of the injury, and rehabilitation progress.

The recovery process generally follows these phases:

Initial phase (0-2 weeks)
Focus on pain management, reducing swelling, and regaining basic mobility.

Early rehabilitation (2-6 weeks)
Start improving range of motion and engage in light strength exercises.

Intermediate phase (6-12 weeks)
Progressive strengthening exercises and balance training.

Advanced rehabilitation (3-6 months)
Sport-specific training, enhancing agility and coordination

Return to activity (6-12 months)
Gradual return to full sports participation with specific drills that mimic real-game scenarios.

While each recovery journey may differ, a personalized rehabilitation plan, guided by an experienced knee specialist, is crucial for a safe and effective recovery.

How successful is PCL surgery?

Evidence-Based Outcomes

PCL surgery is generally highly successful, with excellent outcomes in restoring knee stability and function. Modern surgical techniques, combined with advancements in rehabilitation, have greatly improved results for patients undergoing PCL reconstruction.

Key indicators of success include:

  • Restoration of knee stability
  • Return to pre-injury activity levels
  • Prevention of further knee damage
  • Improvement in quality of life

While PCL surgery boasts a high success rate, as with any procedure, there are potential risks and complications. Some patients may require revision surgery if the ligament does not heal as expected. Success is influenced by factors such as rehabilitation adherence, graft choice, and individual healing capacity.

Regular follow-up visits with your orthopedic specialist are essential throughout the recovery process to ensure optimal healing and long-term knee health.

How much does PCL surgery cost?

Financial Considerations

Cost of procedure varies based on the complexity of the surgery to be performed and individual insurance panel specifications. These will be discussed with you by Dr Sean’s clinic staff after the consultation should you wish to proceed with surgery. The clinic staff are experienced in assisting with applications for letter of guarantees from various insurance panels and corporate insurance panels. 

Factors influencing the cost include:

  • Surgical technique and complexity
  • Type of graft used
  • Hospital or day surgery center fees
  • Anaesthesia services
  • Pre-operative assessments
  • Post-operative rehabilitation

Take the First Step Towards Recovery

Dr. Sean Leo, orthopedic surgeon in Singapore, provides comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment plans for PCL injuries and knee conditions.