The Best PCL Knee Braces

The PCL, or the posterior cruciate ligament, connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. A torn PCL knee ligament is often caused by an injury during high-impact sports. A PCL knee brace improves healing time by stabilizing the knee and keeping it from overextension. Wearing a PCL knee brace during sports is also a great way of preventing knee injury or reinjury. Check out our guide to the best PCL knee braces and give your knees the protection they deserve.

PCL Knee Injury Treatment

A PCL knee injury is most often caused by a direct impact to the front of the upper shin while the knee is bent. This is common during car accidents when the shin strikes the dashboard. A PCL injury can also be caused by falls onto a bent knee. PCL injuries are treated depending on their severity. While mild to moderate PCL injuries respond well to non-operative treatment, severe knee PCL tears may require surgery.

• R.I.C.E.

  Aside from wearing a PCL knee brace to stabilize and compress the knee, the R.I.C.E protocol can help to alleviate pain and accelerate healing. Rest your knee as much as possible. Ice your knee with a cold pack for around 20 minutes at a time every couple of hours to minimize pain and swelling. Compress the knee to increase blood circulation and the level of oxygen and nutrients in your body—this will speed up healing. Elevate your knee above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.

• Medication

  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can be taken to alleviate both pain and swelling. If necessary, your doctor can also prescribe stronger medication. It is important to remember that pain medication can have side effects and is only a short term solution.

• PCL Knee Surgery

  If your doctor diagnoses that your PCL has been pulled away from the bone (avulsion fracture), they are likely to recommend surgery. Surgery is also often necessary in cases of multiple knee injuries, such as dislocation or several ligament tears. A torn PCL can be rebuilt using a tissue graft from another part of your body.

PCL Injury Exercises

PCL knee injury symptoms include pain, swelling, and instability. If you have suffered an injury, it is best to wait until the swelling has gone down and you can put some weight on your leg before starting the following exercises.

• Leg Raises

  Lie on your back with your injured leg extended in front of you and the other one bent at the knee. Tighten your thigh muscles and lift your injured leg around eight inches off the floor, without bending it at the knee. Hold this position for five seconds before lowering your leg back to the ground. Repeat this move 10 times. Alternatively, do this exercise while lying on your stomach.

• Step Ups

  Place the foot of your injured leg on a small step. Keeping the foot of your uninjured leg flat on the floor, shift your weight onto the injured leg. Straighten your injured leg while you lift your uninjured leg off the floor. Return to the starting position before repeating this exercise 15 times.

• Heel Slides

  Lie on your back with your knees bent. Bend the affected knee as far as possible—your heel should be as close as possible to your buttocks. Hook your other foot over the ankle of your affected leg to pull your heel even further towards you. Hold this position for around six seconds before returning to the starting position. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

• Short-Arc Quad

  Lie on your back with a foam roll or a large rolled up towel under your knees. Your heels should be on the floor. Lift the lower part of the injured leg, straightening it. The back of your knee should remain on the foam roll or towel. Hold this position for around six seconds before slowly lowering your heel back to the floor. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

Weighing All the Factors

The best knee brace for PCL injury should deliver a high level of stability and support while keeping you comfortable throughout the day. Shock Doctor’s maximum support knee brace fulfills both of these requirements, with dual hinges and tempered stays covered in soft spandex mesh. Standing just behind are EXOUS’ knee brace support and Vive’s hinged knee brace, both with their own sets of unique features.