What is a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury?
Like the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament also connects the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). Unlikely an ACL injury, PCL injury is less common. Also, PCL injury generally causes less pain, disability, and knee instability compared to ACL injury. But it can still take several weeks or months for a person to recover from it.
Signs of PCL injury
- Pain – A person with a PCL injury may experience moderate pain in the knee and may find it difficult to walk.
- Swelling – Knees will swell quickly within hours of the injury
- Instability – The person may feel that his knee is loose
Sagging of the lower leg
Pain in the patella
If other parts of the knee have not been affected, likely, the person may only experience mild pain. It might feel like nothing much has happened. But if other parts of the knee are injured, there are chances for severe pain and other signs.
Causes of PCL injury
The posterior cruciate ligament experiences a tear when the shinbone is hit hard just below the knee or when a person falls on a bent knee. The injury occurs during a motor vehicle accident or while playing contact sports.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a safe procedure for treating PCL injury. The surgeon makes a small incision and repairs the damage to the ligament or the joints with pencil-thin surgical instruments. Similar to ACL reconstruction the surgeon will use a soft tissue graft [hamstring or quadriceps tendon] and replace the PCL. Sometimes the PCL can be repaired directly. In addition there is the option of a synthetic graft which is not available in all countries. The patient undergoing the procedure can usually leave for home on the same or next day. Physiotherapy will help regain strength and stability.