For PCL sprain rehabilitation, what is the recommended progression after initial gentle strengthening?

• A. Progress to plyometrics before any strengthening
• B. Start with gentle strengthening; progress to functional loading and plyometrics after pain subsides.
• C. Immediately begin running.
• D. Only rest.

Answer: (B)

The idea is to progressively load the knee from a foundation of gentle strengthening toward sport-specific function, guided by pain. After a PCL sprain, you start with mild strengthening to rebuild around the healing ligament without overloading it. Once pain has subsided and function begins to return, you advance to functional loading—tasks and movements you’d perform in daily activities or sport—to restore neuromuscular control and knee stability. Only then should plyometrics be introduced, to rebuild explosive power and reactive control in a controlled, gradual way. This sequence protects healing tissue, prevents re-injury, and builds the intensity of work in a safe, staged manner. Running or high-load activities aren’t started immediately because they can stress the PCL; resting alone won’t restore function, and skipping strengthening would leave the knee weak and unstable.