What is a posterolateral corner repair?
Posterolateral corner reconstruction is the surgical repair of a significant injury to the posterolateral corner of the knee. PLC tears are most often sustained from an acute injury. For example, a blow to the inner or medial knee while playing football or during a motor vehicle accident can cause a tear of the PLC.
How long does a posterolateral corner injury take to heal?
Return to sports will be based on the severity of the injury and whether or not you had surgery. Grade I and II injuries treated without surgery can expect to return to sports in 4-6 months. Grade III injuries treated with surgery can take 10-12 months before returning to athletic competition.
What makes the posterolateral corner?
The posterolateral corner is a complex area of tendons and ligaments around the outside of the knee. Like a Spaghetti Junction of the body, the PLC is a ‘meeting point’ for the fibular collateral ligament, the popliteofibular ligament, the popliteus tendon, the biceps femoris tendon, the iliotobial band and more.
What nerve is commonly injured with posterolateral corner injuries?
A multiple-ligament knee injury that includes posterolateral corner (PLC) disruption often causes palsy of the common peroneal nerve (CPN), which occurs in 44% of cases with PLC injury and biceps femoris tendon rupture or avulsion of the fibular head.
Where is the posterolateral corner?
The Posterolateral Corner (PLC) of the knee refers to the ligaments and tendons at the back (posterior) and outside (lateral) part of the knee.
What does a posterolateral corner injury feel like?
Injuries to the posterolateral corner are associated with widespread pain, tenderness and swelling in the fibular head and posterolateral area of the knee. These injuries can also cause knee instability, a change in gait, and hyperextension and varus thrust during during walking.
What causes posterolateral knee pain?
Posterolateral corner (PLC) knee injuries commonly result from a force directed at the anteromedial aspect of the knee with the foot planted firmly on the ground1. Patients frequently complain of pain over the posterolateral aspect of the knee, and instability with normal walking, twisting, and cutting2.
What is the PCL test?
In the “posterior drawer test,” the doctor pushes the shin back while the knee is bent 90 degrees. If the tibia gives more than 5 millimeters, the PCL is likely torn. Your doctor may also perform other tests to help determine whether the ligament is fully torn, partially torn or simply sprained.
How do you fix posterior knee pain?
Tips for quick relief
- Rest the knee until it heals.
- Hold ice on it for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Wear a compression bandage to support the knee, but make sure it’s not too tight.
- Elevate the injured knee on a pillow or several pillows.
- Use crutches or a cane to take weight off the knee.
What are 2 special tests for a PCL injury?
To follow is the description of two functional tests, as-of-yet undescribed in the literature, that can be used as adjuncts for the diagnosis of a PCL injury: the Posterior Functional Drawer test (PFD), and the Proximal Tibial Percussion test (PTP).
Can PCL heal without surgery?
While not as common as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, PCL, or posterior cruciate ligament, injuries do occur and can cause some serious issues with your knee if not addressed adequately.
What is the cause of posterior knee pain?
There is a large variety of potential causes of posterior knee pain. These include soft-tissue injuries, tendon injuries, vascular, and neurologic causes. Injuries to the soft-tissues and tendons are more common while neurologic and vascular injuries occur less frequently [18].
Can a PCL heal without surgery?
Does a grade 3 PCL tear require surgery?
Grade 3 PCL injuries: At this Grade surgical reconstruction is recommended. If the PCL has been pulled and detached from its anchor point, it can be reattached with a screw. If the PCL has been torn completely it can be reconstructed using a piece of your own tissue (autograft) or a piece of donor tissue (allograft).
Does PCL grow back?
Recovery. Expected recovery usually occurs in about three months at which time swelling may be resolved and strength recovered. A full return to active sports is usually possible. If PCL reconstruction is needed, full recovery may take 9-12 months.
How do I strengthen my PCL?
Quad sets
- Sit with your affected leg straight and supported on the floor or a firm bed. Place a small, rolled-up towel under your knee.
- Tighten the thigh muscles of your affected leg by pressing the back of your knee down into the towel.
- Hold for about 6 seconds, then rest for up to 10 seconds.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
What is the back of the knee called?
Pain in the back of the knee, called the popliteal fossa, is common, but there is a wide range of causes, ranging from ligament injury to arthritis.
What ligament is behind the knee?
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The ligament, located in the back of the knee, that controls backward movement of the tibia (shin bone).
What is the protocol for posterolateral corner rehabilitation?
Posterolateral corner rehab protocol. Download PDF. Full weightbearing as tolerated with hinged brace locked in full extension for 4 weeks. Patient will be instructed to come out of the brace twice a day for gentle, passive stretching into flexion. Avoid active knee flexion for 4 weeks. Regular assessment of gait to watch for compensatory patterns.
Is posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction effective for knee stabilization?
Posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction has been shown to be an effective treatment for PLC injuries. Acute anatomical repair of the PLC has the same potential to stabilize the knee; however, outcomes are less defined.
What is a posterolateral corner injury?
Abstract: Posterolateral corner injuries represent a complex injury pattern, with damage to important coronal and rotatory stabilizers of the knee. These lesions commonly occur in association with other ligament injuries, making de- cisions regarding treatment challenging.
Who are the authors of posterolateral corner reconstruction?
Technical Note Anatomic Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction Raphael Serra Cruz, M.D., Justin J. Mitchell, M.D., Chase S. Dean, M.D., Jorge Chahla, M.D., Gilbert Moatshe, M.D., and Robert F. LaPrade, M.D., Ph.D.