POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT (PCL) INJURY

Ligaments are strong, tough bands of tissue which attach one bone to another bone and mainly help to stabilize joints. The Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) is a ligament located within the knee. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) connect the thighbone (femur) to shinbone (tibia). PCL injury generally causes pain, disability and knee instability more than ACL injury ,but PCL injury affects movement for several weeks or months.

Symptoms of a PCL injury

 Most people don’t experience a “popping” sensation in the knee after a PCL injury and try to do their usual activities but many symptoms which can develop including:

    • Mild to Severe Swelling
    • Knee pain
    • Wobbly Sensation in the Knee
    • Trouble while Walking

Causes of a PCL injury

The PCL injury can occur if your shinbone is hit hard or if you fall on a bent knee. These injuries are most commonly occur during:

  • Motor Vehicle Accidents

 A “Dashboard Injury” occurs when the driver’s or passenger’s bent knee slams against the dashboard and pushing in the shinbone just below the knee thus causing the posterior cruciate ligament to tear.

  • Contact Sports
    Sports such as football, soccer, baseball and skiing are common causes of PCL injury.

Diagnosis of a PCL injury

Diagnosis methods of a PCL injury include: 

  • Physical Examination
  • X ray
  • MRI Scan
  • Arthroscopy

 

Treatment of a PCL injury

Treatment for PCL injury mainly depending on the severity of injury. Common treatment methods include:

  • Medication

 In this treatment, pain relievers are given to patients to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

  • Physical Therapy

 In this treatment, a physical therapist teaches various exercises which help to make knee stronger and improve its function as well as stability. In some cases, patient can also need a knee brace or crutches during rehabilitation program.

  • PCL Reconstruction Surgery

If PCL injury is severe and other treatments like medication or physical therapy fails to relieve pain then doctor suggest surgical treatment. PCL Reconstruction Surgery is done to reconstruct the ligament if injury is occurred with other torn knee ligaments, cartilage damage or a broken bone.

PCL Reconstruction Surgery is done with the help of an Arthroscope and involves smaller incisions. During this surgery, a torn ligament is reconstructed by using a tissue graft which is taken from another part of the body or from a donor.

After the PCL Reconstruction Surgery, doctors advise patients to wear a knee brace and maintain the knee in full extension for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Patients should not bear any weight on the operated knee and should not perform any heavy work. Pillows or other supports should be placed under the tibia for the next few months after the surgery to prevent any posterior subluxation of the tibia.

The Upper Limb Clinic, Thane west, is dedicated clinic for all diseases related to Knee, Hand, Shoulder, Elbow and Finger. Contact us today for Finger Arthritis condition to get better and accurate treatment.