PCL Braces
Custom PCL braces are lightweight, easy to use, non-surgical treatment option for PCL ligament injuries. They help to stabilize and prevent further damage to the knee with activities and can be used before and after surgery.
Custom Donjoy Defiance
Custom Össur CTi
Custom Össur Rebound
Custom Donjoy Defiance
Custom Össur CTi Brace
Custom Össur Rebound
Common PCL Questions
What is a Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injury?
The PCL, posterior cruciate ligament, is one of the main knee ligament in the knee. It helps to stabilize and support the knee during various activities.
How can I injure my PCL?
A PCL injury often takes place during sports such as soccer, football, rugby, basketball and volleyball or while in a motor vehicle accident. It often occurs when a direct force takes place on the shin bone while the knee is bent or if your knee is straightened past its normal position (hyperextended).
How badly can I injure my PCL?
A PCL injury can vary in severity from a minor stretch, to a partial tear and in the worse case scenario, a full tear. It can cause knee pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, affect the movement in your knee and ultimately prevent normal function, activity or sport participation.
What are the symptoms of a PCL injury?
- Feeling or hearing a pop in the knee at the time of injury
- Pain and swelling within the first few hours after the injury
- Movement limitations because of pain and swelling
- Instability with potential buckling
How do I know for certain if I have a PCL injury?
Along with your description of how the injury took place and your present symptoms, there are clinical tests a physiotherapist, a physician or an orthopedic surgeon can perform to show if there is a PCL injury. However, an MRI is the most accurate way to definitively see a PCL injury. An X-ray only shows images of bone and will not show any ligament structures.
UNSURE WHICH CUSTOM PCL BRACE TO GET?
BOOK YOUR CONSULTATIONWhat should I do if I suspect I injured my PCL but I am not sure?
- Rest your knee: Do not go back to activities involving impact or twisting as this can further damage your knee
- Ice your knee: Ice for 20 minutes every 1-2 hours until the swelling goes back to almost normal
- Compress your knee: Use an elastic bandage to give gentle compression, this can be done while icing and throughout the day
- Elevate your knee: Make sure to lie down so your knee is elevated above your heart, this can be done throughout the day based on your comfort
- You may need to use crutches for a few days if it hurts to walk, don’t walk through pain
- You should see your doctor who may request an MRI and a physiotherapist as soon as possible, your physiotherapist can recommend the right exercises and educate you on which activities you should and shouldn’t participate in
- It is crucial to not return back to impact and twisting activities if there is any suspected injury to your PCL
There is a confirmed PCL tear based on an MRI will I need Surgery?
Whether you will need surgery or not will depend on how severe the tear is, whether other parts of the knee are injured, how active you are, your age, your overall health, your future goals and how long ago the injury occurred. With a torn PCL you may recover fully but often you will never have the same amount of stability as you once did. The only way to get close to perfect stability is proper knee bracing and / or surgery.
Should I wear a brace once I know there is damage to my PCL?
By wearing a custom knee brace, properly fit to your knee measurements, you will increase the stability in your knee. With a torn PCL and no bracing, your will be more prone to buckling and you will further wear of tear the cartilage in your knee. This wear and tear will predispose patients to early osteoarthritis. The faster you get fitted for a custom knee brace after a confirmed PCL injury the better your knee will recover long term. All things similar, wearing a brace will always ensure a better recovery, more support and stability versus not wearing one.
How can I prevent or minimize the chance of injuring my PCL?
The best way to prevent a PCL injury is to strengthen the leg muscles, improve your overall balance and flexibility and increase your functional, sport specific exercises. There are many professionals that are trained to progress patients with these exercises such as physiotherapists, personal trainers, athletic therapists and strength and conditioning specialists to mention a few. Of course avoiding high risk sports with lots of twisting, pivoting and contact will decrease your injury risk as well.
Once I have surgery to fix my PCL, will I need to wear a custom PCL brace?
All things similar, wearing a brace will always ensure a better recovery, more support and stability versus not wearing one.