What is a PCL injury?
The posterior cruciate ligament is located in the back of the knee. The PCL is one of several ligaments that connect the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shinbone). Its function is to keep the shinbone stabilized and from moving backwards too far. The PCL can be injured by a direct force with a bent knee. Dr. Austin Chen, knee specialist serving greater Boulder, Colorado, is available to both diagnose and treat PCL injuries.
What are the causes of a PCL injury?
PCL injuries are less common than other knee ligament injuries such as ACL tears, and are more difficult to evaluate than other ligament injuries. A common cause of injury is a bent knee hitting a dashboard in a car accident or a football player falling on a knee that is bent. The ligament can be injured from a simple misstep, pulling or stretching the ligament, or a direct blow to the front of the knee.
What are the symptoms of a PCL injury?
The following are the common symptoms of a PCL injury:
- Difficulty walking
- Feeling like the knee may give out
- Knee feels unstable
- Swelling that makes the knee stiff, and occurs quickly after injury
- Limp
What is the treatment for a PCL injury?
Generally, PCL injuries are treated non-operatively, with rest, ice, elevation and anti-inflammatories. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, Dr. Chen may recommend surgery. In many cases, the PCL is injured in conjunction with other ligaments. In these cases, surgery is most often needed. For example, if you have dislocated your knee and torn multiple ligaments including the posterior cruciate ligament, surgery is almost always necessary. A PCL or multi-ligament knee reconstruction may be the surgical options that Dr. Chen would discuss with you.
