March 2020

Isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are rare, with about 1 PCL tear for every 20 anterior cruciate ligament tears. Lack of knowledge of the natural history of isolated PCL tears has led to controversy about the most effective treatment, and a tendency to over-treat with PCL reconstruction, especially if posterior laxity exceeds 10 mm.

After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, weak quadriceps are common. “There are many different theories about why patients can’t get their strength back after ACL reconstruction. I wanted to look at the effect of knee range of motion (ROM) on return to quadriceps strength,” says Sarah Eaton, PT, DPT, ATC, LAT, a physical therapist/athletic trainer at Shelbourne Knee Center.

A stiff, arthritic knee and the loss of extension that usually accompanies it can be debilitating. Despite a widespread belief that little can be done about stiffness other than surgery, appropriate physical therapy can relieve and even reverse stiffness.