Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury(PCL Tear)Pronounced: pos-tea-ree-or kru-shee-ate lig-a-ment by Diana Kohnle DefinitionThe posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is a piece of connective tissue located within the knee. The PCL connects the thighbone to the shinbone. This connection keeps the shinbone from moving too far backward, and stabilizes the knee. The PCL ligament can become strained or torn when a strong force is applied to it. This can happen during sports or other high-stress activity. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Posterior Cruciate Ligament Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. CausesInjury to the PCL can be caused by a variety of events, including:
Risk FactorsThe following factors increase your chance of injuring the PCL:
SymptomsSymptoms may include:
DiagnosisYour doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your doctor will need to see images of your knee. Tests may include: Ligament sprains are graded according to their severity:
TreatmentTalk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Recovery time ranges depending on the grade of your injury. Treatment steps may include: Acute CareRestYour ligament will need time to heal. Avoid activities that place extra stress on the knee:
Your doctor may recommend a knee brace to stabilize the knee, and crutches to keep extra weight off your leg. ColdApply an ice or a cold pack to the area for 15-20 minutes, four times a day, for several days after the injury. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel. Pain Relief MedicationsTo manage pain, your doctor may recommend:
CompressionCompression can help prevent more swelling. Your doctor may recommend an elastic compression bandage around your knee. Be careful not to wrap the bandage too tight. ElevationElevation can also help keep swelling down. Keep your knee higher than your heart as much as possible for the first 24 hours or so. A couple of days of elevation might be recommended for severe sprains. Recovery StepsHeatUse heat only when you are returning to physical activity. Heat may then be used before stretching or getting ready to play sports to help loosen the ligament. StretchingWhen the acute pain is gone, start gentle stretching as recommended. Stay within pain limits. Hold each stretch for about 10 seconds and repeat six times. Stretch several times a day. StrengtheningBegin strengthening exercises for your ligaments as recommended. If you are diagnosed with a PCL injury, follow your doctor's instructions. SurgerySurgery may be needed to fully restore function of the knee. The decision to have surgery should be made after discussion with your doctor about your athletic needs, age, and associated factors. PreventionMost PCL injuries occur during accidents that are difficult to prevent. To reduce your chance of injuring the PCL, take these steps:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Canadian Orthopaedic Association Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation Knee sprains and meniscal injuries. Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals. Available at: http://www.merckma.... Updated February 2012. Accessed May 3, 2012. Ligament injuries to the knee. John Hopkins Medicine website. Available at. http://www.hopkins.... Accessed May 3, 2013. Posterior cruciate ligament injuries. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00420. Updated February 2009. Accessed May 3, 2013. Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what. Updated April 11, 2013. Accessed May 3, 2013. 10/26/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Massey T, Derry S, Moore R, McQuay H. Topical NSAIDs for acute pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(6):CD007402. Last reviewed May 2013 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD; Brian Randall, MD |
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