Torn PCL. What can I expect?

**Caucasian Asian** · 04-28-2009, 08:47 AM

x-post from gimp central

So i've been to the doctor, gone for xrays, started physio, and am on a waiting list for an MRI. Physiotherapist thinks that I have a grade III tear of my PCL, but ACL/MCL and miniscus are OK. She has also sent a referal to a sports specialist in town.

After a little time on Wiki, i've learned that sometimes they do not operate, and leave the ligament in two pieces.

Is this a good option for me? am I still going to be able to ski without it? Will I be able to run?

I finished my season with some pain, but I can't play beer-league slo pitch this season(can't run), and theres no way i'm going to be able to sit in a canoe like this.

Should I push for surgery?

**bigdude2468** · 04-28-2009, 08:52 AM

I believe that a PCL will heal by itself.

**skideeppow** · 04-28-2009, 09:11 AM

Gimp Central?
PCL can he rehabed by strengthening the hamstring and quad muslce. Depnds on how bad the tear is

**bmg97** · 04-28-2009, 09:15 AM

Whats the deal with posting in the wrong section these day ???

**1snowKiter** · 04-28-2009, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Caucasian Asian

x-post from gimp central

So i've been to the doctor, gone for xrays, started physio, and am on a waiting list for an MRI. Physiotherapist thinks that I have a grade III tear of my PCL, but ACL/MCL and miniscus are OK. She has also sent a referal to a sports specialist in town.

Should I push for surgery?

YES!

I did my PCL in 2000 and have had 4 arthroscopy to "clean it out" (aka send meniscus to the garbage can) since the original injury.. :-(

I recently found a doctor that apparently is one of the few that routinely repairs PCL. My surgery set for 5/29.

J

**1snowKiter** · 04-28-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by bigdude2468

I believe that a PCL will heal by itself.

right...

remember, you must close your eyes and click your heals together 3 times for this to occur, dorthy.....

**jfost** · 04-28-2009, 02:15 PM

most avg. people don't need it for everyday life... you have activities beyond normal, and as such, should get it fixed. I sure as hell wouldn't ski without it - you would be risking damage to articular cartilage, remaining ligaments (prob. not 100% as it is hard to just damage one component of the knee without at least weakening others), and joint capsule. Long-term damage to these structures = change of lifestyle (no skiing, softball etc.) or even a knee replacement in the far future. Get that shit fixed I tell ya!

oh, and HAHAHA! Waiting list for MRI... What's the problem, it's only a $2000 study - can't you just pay for it now! /socalist flamage

**Caucasian Asian** · 04-28-2009, 02:47 PM

A friend of mine works for WCB, and she says that if it will affect my work that WCB might expedite the surgery. So i will be meeting with her laer this week to figure out a resonable argument as to why I need this surgery to keep working.

**tarkman1** · 04-28-2009, 05:00 PM

Well, my PCL is gone. I ski with a brace. Don't look for me to play soccer, but I do run. I have some big strong muscles that help support the joint.

**1snowKiter** · 04-28-2009, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Caucasian Asian

A friend of mine works for WCB, and she says that if it will affect my work that WCB might expedite the surgery.

My knee, sans one PCL, is not as stable as my knee with a PCL and that instability crops up more around the house and at work then when I'm at play.

BTW. I've skied with a Don Joy since 2000 and while it's a wonderful product, I look forward to dumping the 'crutch'.

Get it fixed.

J

**lameduck** · 04-28-2009, 09:30 PM

i had my pcl and lcl repaired after a complete tears. i went about 3 months with it mostly immobilized in a brace without surgery with me feeling dissatisfied, but i think way too early to really have made the call. initially saw a guy at univ. of wash sports medicine who was the knee guy for seattle, apparently, but have family in medicine in boston, so i got a second opinion through a more personal connection. had it repaired by a guy whod done about 200 at the time, at new england baptist, john richman. he estimated about 90% performance after surgery, and high success rates and based on that, i went for it. after patrolling at baker and doing snow control for days in a row, it doesnt really hold up, but i think if i could get more rest days in between pow like any normal person, i would have great results. still ski with a brace, but mostly cause i figure why not, its comfortable. repair was 2004, wasnt really pushing it again for 2 seasons, and still am not where i was, but a lot of its mental, i think. i think most of it depends on how competent the surgeon is, though, its supposed to be a pretty complicated surgery

**DeeAre** · 04-28-2009, 10:16 PM

good talk... but doesn't anyone pay attention to the rules anymore? Is this gimp central? Shiit, I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

**PowLizard** · 04-29-2009, 07:30 AM

You can get by without it but if you have access to surgery...get it. I get by but I've had a number of near misses where things could have gone differently all over again (also torn my MCL and have some seriously f*cked cartilage though).

**mntlion** · 04-29-2009, 07:41 AM

if you need an MRI faster it is about $1K in calgary (at least for backs) and I think that banff has an MRI for limbs. maybe see if other locations (golden or calgary?) has a smaller lineup?

Also make sure that you can still eat $25 all you can eat sushi in banff, and maybe some training for that will help....

**AKPogue** · 04-29-2009, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by dRider

good talk... but doesn't anyone pay attention to the rules anymore? Is this gimp central? Shiit, I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

What rules?

**eldereldo** · 04-29-2009, 09:13 AM

Limb MRI in Whistler was 875.00. I'm sure you can get it cheaper in Calgary.

**Wong_Fowum_Jong** · 04-29-2009, 10:16 AM

Why this not in gimp central only? Put there. NOW!

**Caucasian Asian** · 04-29-2009, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by skideeppow

Gimp Central?

Originally Posted by bmg97

Whats the deal with posting in the wrong section these day ???

Originally Posted by dRider

but doesn't anyone pay attention to the rules anymore? Is this gimp central?

Originally Posted by Wong_Fowum_Jong

Why this not in gimp central only? Put there. NOW!

Originally Posted by Caucasian Asian

x-post from gimp central

This is posted in Gimp Central. But it doesn't get a lot of traffic over there, so I x-posted it here. And I started my thread by stating that.

**Wong_Fowum_Jong** · 04-29-2009, 11:11 AM

JJJJJJJJJJJOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG GGGGGGGGGGGGG!

**imadoofus** · 04-29-2009, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by eldereldo

Limb MRI in Whistler was 875.00. I'm sure you can get it cheaper in Calgary.

wait. dont you guys have free medical crap? i am becoming a canadian hoping the tax payer would pay for all this crap.

**mntlion** · 05-04-2009, 07:58 AM

CA: did you get a MRI?

**yooper** · 05-04-2009, 08:15 AM

This is a little more complicated than just listening to the people who are saying "GET SURGERY" If it was an ACL, I would agree wholeheartedly. ACL reconstruction is pretty dialed in... You get surgery and you are good as new.

The PCL is a little different.... As many have said, they often don't do surgery on a PCL. This isn't because it "heals itself" (dumbass

), it's because there isn't a reliable repair technique that exists right now. If I were you, I would do a bunch of research on WHO specializes in PCL repair and replacement and speak to them about your specific situation.

L7 · 05-04-2009, 08:25 AM

I think the appendage MRI is in Canmore. See if you can get Dr. Heard to check it when he's in Golden. I'd get it done. It might heal itself IF you immobolized it for a few months. It's apparently very rare to do in the PCL and leave the ACL intact. Hyperextension?

**DeeAre** · 05-04-2009, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by L7

Hyperextension?

I think PCL rupture comes from load-bearing hyperflexion?? Hyperextention is a typical mechanism for ACL rupture.

WTF am I saying? Take this thread to Gimp Central.