How effective is physiotherapy for PCL injury?

The posterior cruciate ligament helps limit backward movement of the shin relative to the thigh. A PCL injury can occur alone or with damage to other knee structures, so rehabilitation should begin after an assessment rather than follow a generic exercise list.

Early care may emphasise swelling control, safe range of motion and protection from positions that strain the healing ligament. Later stages can target quadriceps strength, balance, controlled stepping and the demands of work or sport.

Use the brace, crutches or movement limits prescribed for your injury, and keep follow-up appointments so progress can be checked. Complete exercises with the prescribed range and resistance; increasing load too quickly can aggravate the knee.

As control improves, your physiotherapist may add closed-chain strengthening, balance work and task-specific drills. Return to pivoting, contact or jumping should be staged and based on examination findings, not only on reduced pain.

Contact your clinician if swelling or pain is worsening, the knee repeatedly gives way, or you cannot follow the prescribed weight-bearing plan. Seek urgent assessment after a new injury with severe pain, deformity, numbness, a cold foot or inability to bear weight.

Ask whether other ligaments or cartilage are involved, what knee positions to avoid, when strengthening can progress, and which signs would change the rehabilitation plan.