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| Posterior cruciate ligament |
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| What is a posterior cruciate ligament ? |
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It is a strong elastic tissue, located at the back of the knee, connects the tibia (shin bone) to the femur (thigh bone). The ligament stops the tibia from sliding too far backward and keeps the knee stable. |
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| How does the PCL get injured? |
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| Most of the times in a road traffic accident, a posterior cruciate ligament injury can occur. A fall onto the knee (or a direct hit to the knee with a tackle in football) can also cause this type of injury. |
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| What kind of symptoms would I have if I damaged the PCL? |
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You may have pain with running, slowing down, or walking up or down stairs or ramps Feelings of instability with certain motions about the knee can occur with a damaged PCL. |
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| How is a posterior cruciate ligament injury diagnosed? |
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Physical examination by your doctor,X-ray ,magnetic resonance imaging, or a diagnostic arthroscopy |
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| What kind of treatment options are available there? |
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Conservative( non-operative) or operative(Arthroscopic ligamentous reconstruction). Strengthening of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles in physical therapy is always advised initially. Bracing can also help with a posterior cruciate ligament injury. |
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| How do I know if I need to have surgery? |
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Failure of a nonoperative treatment with persistence of ongoing pain and or knee instability would require a reconstruction of a posterior cruciate ligament. Surgery for the PCL involves either an autograft or an allograft reconstruction of the ligament. Either a bone-tendon-bone(patella), hamstring autograft is commonly used to reconstruct the posterior cruciate ligament. |
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