Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
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Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
The posterior cruciate ligament is an important posterior stabilizer of the knee, preventing front to back motion of the knee. It is less commonly injured as compared to the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee.
Injury and Symptoms
It is usually seen after a direct blow or a sudden hyperextension of
the
knee, more commonly in sports like rugby or football. It is more
commonly seen
with other injuries, especially the posterolateral corner complex of the
knee.
In the acute phase, there may be increased pain, swelling and difficulty
in
walking. In the more chronic phase, patients feel unstable in their knee
with a
sense of falling down. A thorough physical examination, stress X-rays
and MRI
are necessary to diagnose this injury.
Treatment
Most PCL injuries can be treated non surgically with appropriate bracing and
rehabilitation. It is important to know
that even minor injuries need to be treated immediately with the right treatment
to allow it to heal and prevent the
need for surgery. Delay in treatment can be associated with inferior outcomes.
In cases of severe injuries or
concomitant injuries, an arthroscopic PCL reconstruction becomes necessary.
There are a variety of procedures with
different grafts that are available. The individualized reconstruction technique
depends on the patient anatomy, age,
concomitant injuries and activity levels.
Consult your doctor to formulate a treatment plan for your personalized needs.