Grade 3 PCL tear and deep squats

[Rogue1979]

Age: 34
Training Level: Novice

Back on July 6th, I ended up completely tearing my PCL. The rest of the ligaments are fine except the PCL. I have started physical therapy to build the quads up more to help with the lack of stability. I am actually ahead of schedule and seem to be responding well. However, yesterday I was putting together a shelving rack and squatted low to look at something. I got this extreme intense pain behind the knee that damn near took me to the ground. Now I know the PCL's main job is to prevent the knee from bending to far back. Doc really doesn't want to do surgery unless we absolutely have to because its a difficult surgery that sometimes doesn't respond well. I don't really want the surgery either unless there is no other choice because I can't be off from work that long.

My question is: Does anyone else have a complete PCL tear, without surgery, and is able to go back to deep squats? If so, what limitations do you have?

Thanks, in advance.

P.S. I am forced to go to PT for insurance company.

[Mark Rippetoe]

How did you tear your PCL by itself?

[Rogue1979]

I was doing a mud run. I jumped over a wide ditch but landed on my shin / knee. All my weight drove down on it when I felt the "pop". Original Dr. thought I had tore my ACL and PCL. Turns out it is only the PCL.

[Mark Rippetoe]

The PCL is under no load when you squat correctly. See page 19.

[Rogue1979]

The PCL is under no load when you squat correctly. See page 19.

Thank you sir.

[Milo's Ghost]

The PCL is under no load when you squat correctly. See page 19.

One would have to be particularly careful of knee slide at the bottom though, right?

Also, would high bar squats/front squats be verboten? Or at least riskier?

[Mark Rippetoe]

One should be careful of this anyway. And any injury makes proper technique much more important.

[Milo's Ghost]

One should be careful of this anyway. And any injury makes proper technique much more important.

Spoken like a man who has written a very detailed book on the subject. Fair enough.