RUH PHY084 PCL Brace Instructions

: September 9, 2024
: RUH

Table of Contents

Guidance
Instructions for use of PCL brace
Rehabilitation protocol
Customer Support
Documents / Resources

RUH PHY084 PCL Brace

Guidance

Brace: After a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury, a PCL brace keeps the knee in a better position while the ligament heals. How long you wear the brace for will depend on the injury, more details can be found in the rehabilitation protocol on page 2 or 3.
Movement and exercises : For the first few weeks the brace may be limit your knee bend, but it is important to get your knee straight as soon as possible. The quadriceps (front thigh muscle) is particularly important as it protects the healing ligament. You will need to do exercises to increase the movement and exercises to strengthen your leg. You should avoid hamstring strengthening initially, the rehabilitation protocol gives you more information about exercises.
Crutches: You will be advised about how long you need to use crutches, the chart in the rehabilitation protocol will guide you.
Don’t rush off your crutches too soon as it may increase the pain and swelling. When you progress to using one crutch you hold it in the opposite hand to you knee injury.
Swelling: Initially your knee may be swollen, this is part of the normal healing process. To speed up your recovery it is important to reduce the swelling, keep your leg elevated ideally keeping your knee higher than your heart.
Pain control: Take regular pain relief as prescribed or over the counter medication, if your pain is well controlled it will make your knee more comfortable, making it easier to move, complete the exercises and sleep.
Physiotherapy: A physiotherapist will guide you in your rehabilitation.
Return to sport: The time it will take to return to sport will depend on your injury, you can return to simple exercises such as cycling after 7 weeks, it may take you 6 months to return to sport if you have not had an operation. If you have had an operation it can take up to a year before you return to sport. You will need full movement, and full strength in all your muscles.

Instructions for use of PCL brace

Patient guide including fitting instructions, washing instructions, and hinge maintenance.
Instructions for use (multiple languages)
User instructions video
Size guidelines (page 2)

Rehabilitation protocol

Isolated PCL Injury – Conservative treatment

| WEEK 1-2| WEEK 3-6| WEEK 7-12| MONTH 3+
---|---|---|---|---
Weight bearing| PWB
(walk with x2 crutches)| WBAT
(walk with crutches if you feel you need them)| WBAT
(walk with crutches if you feel you need them)| FWB
(walk crutches| without
Brace| Day and night
Grey shear knob| Day and night
Grey shear knob| Day and night
White shear knob > week 10| During day for up to 4 months
During return to play up to 6 months
ROM
Limitation| Up to 0-0-90o with brace
Work on full extension| Up to 0-0-90o with brace| None| None
Physiotherapy| Do:
Static quadriceps contraction
Inner range quadriceps
Straight leg raise
Don’t:
Active flexion Hamstring activation.| Do:
Prone lying knee flexion to 90o
Static quadriceps contraction
Inner range quadriceps
Straight leg raise
Mini squats
Calf strengtheningStatic bike with low resistance – no toe clips
Don’t:
Perform isolated hamstrings| Do:
Squats to 70o knee bend
Leg press to 70o knee bend
Lunge to 70o knee bend
Hamstring gentle bridging keeping knee straight
Balance exercises (Example 1, 2, 3)
Don’t:
Isolated hamstrings without brace
Cycling with toe clips.| Do:
Quadriceps strengthening able to
squat beyond 90o
Isolated hamstring strengthening
Start jogging programme if sufficient strength and minimal swelling
Progress to acceleration / deceleration / change of direction
Progress to full strength training.
Ideally RTP month 4- 6
Don’t: RTP without specific training.

Isolated or Combined PCL Injuries – Following surgical reconstruction

| WEEK 1-2| WEEK 3-6| WEEK 7-12| MONTH 3+
---|---|---|---|---
Weight bearing| NWB
(Use crutches, foot only lightly toughing the floor)| NWB/PWB (20%)

(Use crutches with up to 20% body weight through leg)

| WBAT
(Walk with crutches if you feel you need them)| FWB
(Walk without crutches)
Brace| Day and night

Extension lock

Grey shear knob

| Day and night

Grey shear knob

| Day and night

White shear knob > week 10

| During day for +1 month
During activity with deep flexion wean off after 6 months.
Continue to wear for next sports season
ROM Limitation| Up to 0-0-90o prone / assisted| NWB: 0-0-90

PWB: Extension locked

| None| None
Physiotherapy| Do:
Static quadriceps contraction Inner range quadriceps

Straight leg raise

Don’t:

Active flexion

Hamstring activation

| Do:
Static quadriceps contraction Inner range quadriceps

Straight leg raise

Static bike with low resistance – no toe clips
Don’t: Open chain hamstrings

| Do:
Squats to 70o knee bendLeg press to 70o knee bend

Lunge to 70o knee bend

Hamstring gentle bridging keeping