Completely torn PCL and partially torn ACL

So there are a lot of threads on ACL injuries and reconstruction, but the PCL is less common and not well mentioned. I read through the top 3 and it sounds like partial recovery takes 6 months to a year and full recovery can take 18 months to 2 years. I've been letting my femur heal over the past 8 weeks, and the plan is to wait another 4 weeks until the knee is assessed. But alas, the looming knee surgery is starting to rear its ugly head. The MCL, LCL, and Meniscus are ok but the PCL and ACL are both functionally gone. Understanding this is the MP forum and not a doctors office, my questions are:

Has anyone dealt with a torn PCL? 

Has anyone undergone reconstructive surgery of multiple ligaments?

Thank you everyone who contributed to previous threads:

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/111594854/crack-climbing-after-acl-reconstruction

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/106356867/torn-acl-from-boulderingneed-suggestions

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/113297842/acl-surgery-recovery-and-training

Is this also from your accident? I'm surprised you've not gotten any replies.

Best, H.

I tore my PCL (grade 2, partial tear).I did not have it checked immediately after the accident (biking and ice) because it felt like a bone contusion, which I have had before. Fast forward three months and I do not need surgery, am doing some easy top rope, and biking again. If I do too much, it gets swollen and sore the next day. I'm healing well, but slowly. Some days I feel optimisitc, some days less so.

How did it turn out?

Oh my gosh, I’m excited to see your update.l: I just had a consultation this morning for an injury I sustained 14 months ago on a river trip and found I need the same surgery. At the time I injured my knee, (jumping from one raft to the other..dumb),  I was examined and told I had torn my MCL significantly, and a little meniscus. No one suspected any other major injuries so I decided to let the MCL heal on its own. But the knee has just developed chronic on off pain/some instability joint laxity etc. I can no longer mtn bike anything fun or hike or run, etc.  Recent MRI and exam today confirm I have a 100% non-functional PCL and need to have reconstructive surgery as soon as I can get it scheduled. There is hardly anything online in terms of people telling their stories w PCL reconstruction outcome. You must be a few months out or more now and I am wondering how you are doing? 

I also was just diagnosed with an isolated, but complete PCL tear. In light of the forces on the knee during climbing the doc seems to think that surgery straight away is the best option. How are you all recovering after reconstructive surgery? In retrospect, would you do it again?

I ruptured my PCL bouldering 12 years ago, aged 50. I rehabbed myself - I’m a PT - and have made the effort to maintain appropriate leg strength since. Mine was a complete but fortunately isolated rupture and my knee has not limited subsequent climbing or running: post-injury I’ve onsighted 5.12 sport, 11+ trad., and done long rock routes like Scenic Cruise and The Nose (in a day). Surgery is not the default option.

Unstable left knee about one month post-injury, with the classic posterior sag: https://flic.kr/p/6PLCUi

Duncan - thats exactly what my knee looks like right now. Good to hear you made a full recovery without surgery. Do you have continued laxity? Are you able to drop knee/heel hook?

Andres, laxity is minimal now. Functionally, my left knee is now the stronger of the two. I can drop-knee pretty well for an old man. I've never regretted not having surgery. 

I worked hard on the rehab.: mainly closed chain quads. exercises like squats and step-ups as these are similar to climbing manoevers. I still do leg exercises 2-3 a week for general S+C and try to maintain strength and balance such that I can do 5-6 full single-leg squats. 

Rehab. is not always successful but it seems logical to give it a good go before surgery. A trial of rehab. before surgery is recommended for all, including elite sportspeople, in the UK. US surgeons seem keener to go straight to surgery. This enthusiasm for surgery seems culturally and financially driven rather than evidence-based (there are still no published RCTs on PCL reconstruction to my knowledge).

While not directly related; I personally tore my left ACL clean off three times. I went without surgery for about two years for the first incident, and about a year for the third one.

I had about 99% functionality in my knee when I didn’t have an ACL. There was still that 1% missing that made it so I couldn’t perform at my peak any more, though. The surgeon and I also agreed that I managed to form subconscious habits that would make me use my knee in ways that didn’t stress it out. Causing me to think I was better off than I actually was.

Basically I’m saying that I think you should wait and do the PT and see how you feel without surgery. But personally, I felt I needed the surgery. I have regained that 1% of performance that I lost thanks to it

get surgery, nuff said!

(im an ER doc)