Arthroscopic PCL Surgery Reconstruction in Hyderabad

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the strongest ligament in the knee — but when it tears, the knee loses its back-stop, and even simple things like walking down stairs, slowing down, or driving can become painful and unstable.

At our clinic, we offer advanced arthroscopic PCL reconstruction in Hyderabad, performed by Dr Karthik Rao — a fellowship-trained orthopaedic and sports injury specialist. Whether your PCL injury was caused by a road traffic accident, a sports injury, or a workplace fall, our minimally invasive approach is designed to restore full knee stability and get you back to an active, confident life.

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What is the PCL?

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is one of the four main ligaments of the knee. It sits in the centre of the joint and prevents the shin bone (tibia) from sliding backwards under the thigh bone (femur). The PCL is the strongest ligament in the knee — which is why a PCL tear usually means a high-energy injury.

Without a working PCL, the knee feels unstable when going down stairs or slopes, slowing from a run, or carrying loads — and the cartilage and meniscus are at much higher risk of damage.

PCL Tear vs ACL Tear — What is the Difference?

Both are central knee ligaments, but they tear in very different ways:

• ACL — tears with twisting/pivoting injuries (typical sports injury). Patients often report a ‘pop’.
• PCL — tears with direct impact to the front of the bent knee (like hitting the dashboard in a car accident). Often there is no ‘pop’ — just deep pain and gradual instability.

PCL tears are less common than ACL tears, but they are often missed initially because the symptoms can be subtle in the early stages.

Symptoms of a PCL Injury

• Pain in the back of the knee
• Mild to moderate knee swelling
• A feeling of looseness or instability — especially when slowing down or going down stairs
• Difficulty walking on uneven ground
• Pain or weakness when squatting or kneeling
• A sense that the knee ‘lags’ or does not feel solid
• Worsening symptoms over weeks or months if untreated

If you have any of these symptoms — especially after a road traffic accident or a hard fall — please come in for an evaluation. PCL tears that are missed early can cause progressive cartilage damage.

Common Causes of PCL Tears

Acute (Sudden) Causes

• Road traffic accidents — the classic ‘dashboard injury’ (knee hitting the dashboard in a frontal collision)
• Falls onto a bent knee
• Sports injuries — direct contact in cricket, football, kabaddi
• Workplace and construction injuries

Chronic / Multi-Ligament Causes

• Repeated minor injuries that gradually weaken the ligament
• Multi-ligament knee injuries (PCL combined with ACL, MCL, or LCL tears)

How We Diagnose a PCL Tear

• Detailed history of the injury — particularly any direct impact to the front of the knee
• Clinical examination — posterior drawer test, sag sign, dial test
• X-rays to rule out fracture or avulsion
• MRI scan to confirm the tear, grade it, and check for associated injuries

Do All PCL Tears Need Surgery?

No. Treatment depends on the grade of the tear and the patient’s needs.

• Grade 1 & 2 (partial tears): we usually treat with bracing, physiotherapy, and progressive strengthening. Most patients heal well without surgery.
• Grade 3 (complete tears): almost always require reconstruction, especially if there is associated ligament or meniscus injury, persistent instability, or the patient is active in sport or physically demanding work.
• Multi-ligament injuries: always need surgery to restore stability.

What is Arthroscopic PCL Reconstruction?

Arthroscopic PCL reconstruction is a minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery in which we replace the torn PCL with a new ligament — a graft taken either from your own body (autograft) or from a tissue bank (allograft). Using a high-definition arthroscope, we position the new graft exactly where the original PCL sat and fix it securely with bio-compatible screws or buttons.

Key advantages of arthroscopic PCL surgery:

• Tiny keyhole incisions, each 5–10 mm
• Excellent visualisation of the back of the knee
• Minimal soft-tissue damage
• Reduced post-operative pain
• Lower risk of infection
• Faster rehabilitation and recovery
• Excellent cosmetic result — barely visible scars

Why Choose Our Clinic for PCL Surgery in Hyderabad

• Fellowship-Trained Sports & Knee Surgeon — Dr Karthik Rao is specifically trained in arthroscopic PCL reconstruction, including complex multi-ligament reconstructions.
• Personalised Graft Selection — we choose the right graft for your sport, age, and lifestyle.
• Minimally Invasive Approach — tiny incisions, less pain, faster recovery.
• Advanced Fixation Techniques — modern, biomechanically strong fixation for secure healing.
• Specialised Rehabilitation Programme — PCL rehab is different from ACL rehab, and we tailor it specifically for PCL recovery.
• Surgeon-Led Follow-Up — Dr Karthik Rao personally tracks your recovery from day one.
• Transparent Pricing & Insurance Support — cashless options with all major providers.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Pre-Operative Evaluation

• Detailed clinical examination by Dr Karthik Rao
• MRI to confirm the tear and check for associated ligament or meniscus injury
• Pre-habilitation exercises to reduce swelling and restore knee movement
• Routine blood tests and anaesthetic fitness check

Step 2: The Surgery

• Performed under spinal/regional or general anaesthesia
• 3 to 4 small keyhole incisions
• Graft is harvested and prepared
• Bone tunnels are precisely created in the femur and tibia
• Graft is positioned and fixed with bio-compatible devices
• Any associated injuries — ACL, MCL, LCL, meniscus — are addressed in the same sitting
• Procedure duration: typically 90 to 150 minutes (longer in multi-ligament cases)

Step 3: Post-Operative Care

• Most of our patients are discharged within 24–48 hours
• Knee brace for 4–6 weeks (PCL needs more protection than ACL)
• Walking with crutches starts on Day 1
• Physiotherapy starts on Day 1 with a PCL-specific rehab plan

Recovery & Return-to-Sport Timeline

PCL recovery is slower and more careful than ACL recovery — the graft needs longer protection. Following the rehab programme exactly is essential for a stable, strong knee.

• Week 0–4: Brace, ice, elevation; protected walking with crutches; gentle prone exercises.
• Week 4–8: Gradual range-of-motion increase; quadriceps strengthening; brace continued.
• Week 8–12: Brace removed; closed-chain strengthening; stationary cycling.
• Months 3–6: Light running, gym work, sport-specific drills.
• Month 6–9: Return to non-contact sport.
• Month 9–12: Return to full contact and pivoting sport — only after passing return-to-sport tests.

Cost of PCL Reconstruction Surgery in Hyderabad

The cost of arthroscopic PCL reconstruction in Hyderabad depends on:

• Graft choice (autograft vs allograft)
• Whether multi-ligament reconstruction is needed
• Type of fixation devices used
• Hospital category and length of stay
• Type of anaesthesia

Estimated Cost Range: ₹1.5 Lakhs to ₹3 Lakhs (indicative; multi-ligament cases higher).

*We share the final cost after your evaluation. Cashless insurance and EMI options are available with all major providers.