10 Practical Tips and Tricks in the Management of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Description

In this informative presentation, Paul Haslam, a consultant from Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Teaching Hospitals Trust and member of the regional knees team at Sheffield Children's, shares his insights on managing posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries. He discusses the advantages of conservative treatment due to the PCL's robust blood supply, optimal healing potential, and recommends an aggressive conservative bracing program utilizing PKS splints and jack tight braces for acute isolated injuries, mirroring post-operative protocols for consistency.



Haslam emphasizes the importance of surgical experience and the need for a proficient surgical team skilled in PCL reconstruction, involving physiotherapy teams throughout the diagnostic and rehabilitation processes to ensure effective recovery. He advises on careful examination techniques and stresses the significance of accurately diagnosing PCL injuries while minimizing unnecessary examinations shortly after injury.



The presentation addresses when surgical intervention is warranted, particularly in cases of chronic symptomatic instability, and discusses the complexity of multi-ligament injuries while considering appropriate surgical and conservative treatment options. Haslam offers practical tips for surgery setup, graft types, and fixation techniques while highlighting common pitfalls in surgical procedures, including the importance of precise tunnel placement and backup fixation strategies for optimal outcomes. He concludes his talk by inviting interest in the upcoming International Children's Knee Conference in Sheffield, highlighting the crucial role of collaboration among healthcare providers in treating PCL injuries.

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